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Washington 2021 local ballot measures
Ballotpedia covered five local ballot measures in Washington for voters in three counties on two election dates.
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In 2021, Ballotpedia covered local measures that appeared on the ballot for voters within the top 100 largest cities in the U.S. and all state capitals, including those outside of the top 100 largest cities. Ballotpedia covered a selection of notable police-related and election-related measures outside of the top 100 largest cities. Ballotpedia also covered all local measures in California and all statewide ballot measures. Click here to see the scope of Ballotpedia local ballot measure coverage by year.
Election dates
November 2
Voters in King County decided two local ballot measures on November 2, 2021. Both were approved.
King County
- See also: King County, Washington ballot measures
• King County, Washington, Charter Amendment 1, Preamble Changes and Corrections (November 2021): ✔
A "yes" vote supported amending the preamble of the county charter to make corrections and to add certain phrases to the preamble related to the environment and economy, quality of life, and government. |
A "no" vote opposed amending the preamble of the county charter to make corrections and to add certain phrases to the preamble related to the environment and economy, quality of life, and government. |
A "yes" vote supported amending the city charter related to initiative, veto referendum, and charter amendment ballot measure timelines to comply with state law and to clarify terms related to initiatives and veto referendums. |
A "no" vote opposed amending the city charter related to initiative, veto referendum, and charter amendment ballot measure timelines to comply with state law and to clarify terms related to initiatives and veto referendums. |
Whatcom County
Voters in Whatcom County decided one ballot measure on November 2. It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported
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A "no" vote opposed this initiative to ban facial recognition and predictive policing technology. |
August 3
Washington voters in two counties voted on two local ballot measures on August 3, 2021. Both were approved.
King County
- See also: King County, Washington ballot measures
A "yes" vote supported renewing and increasing a property tax from $0.115 to $0.19 (per $1,000 of assessed value) in 2022 and approving a 3% maximum increase for the following five years (2023–2027) to fund the Best Starts for Kids program, which provides support services to youth and families. |
A "no" vote opposed renewing and increasing a property tax from $0.115 to $0.19 (per $1,000 of assessed value), thereby allowing the existing tax to expire in 2022. |
Thurston County
A "yes" vote supported
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A "no" vote opposed increasing the property tax to $0.35 (per $1,000 of assessed value) and setting a maximum property tax increase of 7% for the following five years, thereby maintaining a tax rate of $0.289 (per $1,000 of assessed value). |
Additional elections
- See also: Washington elections, 2021
Seattle
August 3, 2021
- Municipal elections in King County, Washington (2021)
- Seattle Public Schools, Washington, elections (2021)
- King County, Washington, Proposition 1, Property Tax for Youth and Family Support Services (August 2021)
November 2, 2021
- Municipal elections in King County, Washington (2021)
- Seattle Public Schools, Washington, elections (2021)
- King County, Washington, Charter Amendment 1, Preamble Changes and Corrections (November 2021)
- King County, Washington, Charter Amendment 2, Initiative, Referendum, and Charter Amendment Processes and Timeline Changes (November 2021)
How to cast a vote
- See also: Voting in Washington
Click "Show" to learn more about voter registration, identification requirements, and poll times in Washington.
Poll times
Washington is an all-mail voting state. Individuals who prefer to vote in person rather than by mail may do so at local voting centers, which are open for 18 days prior to the election. The voting period ends at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Contact your county elections department for more information on voting center locations and times.[1]
Registration requirements
- Check your voter registration status here.
To vote in Washington, one must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the state, and at least 18 years of age.[2]
One may register to vote online, by mail, or in-person at a county elections department. Registration must be completed eight days in advance if done by mail or online. In-person registration is available through Election Day.[3]
In 2018, Washington lawmakers enacted legislation providing for same-day voter registration and automatic voter registration.[4]
Automatic registration
Washington automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles, health benefit exchange, and other state agencies approved by the governor.[4]
Online registration
- See also: Online voter registration
Washington has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.
Same-day registration
Washington allows same-day voter registration.[4]
Residency requirements
Washington law requires 30 days of residency in the state before a person may vote.[2]
Verification of citizenship
Washington does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, a voter who knowingly provides false information or knowingly make a false declaration about their qualifications "will have committed a class C felony that is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to ten thousand dollars, or both."[5]
All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[6] Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.
Verifying your registration
The site Vote WA, run by the Washington Secretary of State office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.
Voter ID requirements
Washington is an all-mail voting state and does not require voters to present photo identification (ID). Voters may choose to vote in person at a local voting center. According to state law RCW 29A.40.160, “The county auditor shall require any person desiring to vote at a voting center to either sign a ballot declaration or provide identification.” Accepted forms of ID include driver's licenses, state ID cards, and student ID cards. For a list of all accepted forms of ID, see below.[7]
The following list of accepted ID was current as of April 2023. Click here for the Washington State Legislature's voter ID regulations to ensure you have the most current information.
- Driver's license
- State identification card
- Student identification card
- Tribal identification card
- Employer identification card
| How to cast a vote in Washington |
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See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, “Frequently Asked Questions on Voting by Mail,” accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Washington Secretary of State, "Voter Eligibility," accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "Voter registration deadlines," accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 The Hill, "Wash. gov signs universal voter registration law," March 20, 2018
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Washington State Voter Registration Form," accessed November 2, 2024
- ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "RCW 29A.40.160," accessed April 20, 2023
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