Washington 2022 ballot measures

Elections in Washington, 2022

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2022 U.S. state ballot measures
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State Ballot Measure Monthly
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Two statewide ballot measures were certified to appear on the Washington ballot on November 8, 2022. The measures were nonbinding tax advisory questions. Voters advised the legislature to repeal the two bills. Since the questions were non-binding, the outcome of the ballot questions were not legally binding and did not directly result in a new, changed, or rejected law.

On the ballot

Type	Title	Description	Result	Yes Votes	No Votes
LRAQ	Advisory Vote 39	Advise the Legislature to either maintain or repeal a tax increase on aircraft fuel from 11 cents to 18 cents per gallon		1,189,673 (41%)	1,704,666 (59%)
LRAQ	Advisory Vote 40	Advise the Legislature to either maintain or repeal a tax on transportation network companies		1,378,471 (48%)	1,494,471 (52%)

Potential measures

For 2022, measures that were certified for the ballot are available here, and measures that failed to make the ballot are available here.

Getting measures on the ballot

See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures in Washington

Citizens of Washington may initiate legislation as either a direct state statute— called Initiative to the People (ITP) in Washington— or indirect state statute— called Initiative to the Legislature (ITL) in Washington. In Washington, citizens also have the power to repeal legislation via veto referendum. Citizens may not initiate constitutional amendments. The Washington State Legislature, however, may place legislatively referred constitutional amendments on the ballot with a two-thirds (66.67%) vote in each chamber.

The last day to submit signatures for Initiatives to the 2022 Legislature was December 31, 2021, by 5:00 p.m. local time.

The first day to file Initiatives to the People was January 3, 2022. The last day to submit signatures for Initiatives to the People targeting the 2022 ballot was July 8, 2022, by 5:00 p.m. local time.

The number of required signatures for Initiatives to the People and veto referendums in 2022 are based on the numbers of votes were cast for candidates for the office of governor in 2020. To qualify an ITP or ITL for the 2022 ballot, 324,516 valid signatures are required. Signatures for Initiatives to the People were due by July 2, 2021, by 5:00 p.m. local time. For veto referendums, signatures must be filed with the secretary of state within 90 days after the adjournment of the legislative session at which the targeted legislation was passed. To qualify a veto referendum for the 2022 ballot, 162,258 valid signatures are required.

The Washington Legislature may refer measures to the ballot during its 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions.

Historical facts

See also: List of Washington ballot measures and History of Initiative & Referendum in Washington

In Washington, a total of 201 ballot measures appeared on statewide ballots between 1985 and 2021. One hundred seven ballot measures were approved, and 94 ballot measures were defeated.

Washington statewide ballot measures, 1985-2021
Total number	Annual average	Annual minimum	Annual maximum	Approved		Defeated
				#	%	#	%
201	5.70	2	15	107	53.23	94	46.77

Ballot initiative certification rates

See also: Ballot initiatives filed for the 2022 ballot

The following table shows the rate of certification for ballot initiatives in Washington between 2010 and 2021:

Washington statewide ballot initiatives filed and certified, 2010-2021
Year	Ballot initiatives filed	Certified
		#	%
2021	268	0	0.0
2020	229	1	0.4
2019	79	2	2.5
2018	163	4	2.5
2017	114	0	0.0
2016	268	6	2.2
2015	123	2	1.6
2014	46	3	6.5
2013	85	2	2.4
2012	84	4	4.8
2011	80	3	3.8
2010	82	6	7.3
Averages	123.0	3.0	2.7

Local ballot measures

See also: Washington 2022 local ballot measures

Click here to read more about 2022 local ballot measures in Washington.

Not on the ballot

Initiatives to the Legislature

See also: Initiatives to the Legislature

Type	Number	Title	Subject	Description	Sponsor	Status
ITL	#1373	Prohibit Income Tax Initiative	Taxes	Prohibits a state and local income tax	Tim Eyman
ITL	Multiple versions	Voter Approval of Tax Increases Initiative	Taxes	Requires tax increases to expire after one year unless approved by voters	Tim Eyman
ITL	Multiple versions	Prohibit Carbon Tax Initiative	Taxes	Prohibits state or local government from imposing a carbon tax	Tim Eyman
ITL	#1362	Universal Healthcare Coverage Initiative	Healthcare	Creates the Whole Washington Health Trust "to ensure all Washington residents can enroll in nonprofit health insurance coverage providing an essential set of health benefits" including medical, prescription, dental, and vision benefits	Sean Cavanagh of Whole Washington
ITL	#1422	Withdrawal from National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Initiative	Elections	Withdraws Washington from the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact	Michael McKee
ITL	Multiple versions	Prohibit School District Director and Teacher Training from Including Specified Topics Surrounding Racism and Sexism Initiative	Education	Prohibits school district staff and teacher training and professional development programs from containing nine specified topics related to racism and sexism	Jim Walsh
ITL	Multiple versions	Prohibit State and Local Governments from Requiring Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Initiative	Healthcare, COVID-19	Prohibits state or local government from requiring proof of a COVID-19 vaccine to enter a public place	Jim Walsh
ITL	Multiple versions	Limit Emergency Powers of Governor and Secretary of Health Emergency Policies Initiative	State executives, COVID-19	Limits the Governor's emergency powers and executive orders; limits emergency policies and orders from the Secretary of Health; requires legislative extension of emergency policies and executive orders after 14 days	Jim Walsh
ITL	#1408	Prohibit Tax on Income Initiative	Taxes	Prohibits a state and local income tax	Jim Walsh
ITL	Multiple versions	Require Voter Approval for Tax Increases	Taxes	Requires voter approval of tax increases; makes Washington tax advisory votes under Initiative 960 of 2007 binding	Jim Walsh
ITL	Multiple versions	Property Tax Rate Limits Initiative	Taxes	Sets property tax rates beginning in 2023 at 25% below the amount provided for by current law; limits rate increases to 1% each year unless voters approve an additional increase; removes property taxes from property that sales or use tax was collected on	Tim Eyman
ITL	Multiple versions	Opt Out of State Long-Term Care Insurance Program Initiative	Healthcare, Taxes	Requires employees to elect to retain coverage under the long-term care services program; allows employees to opt out of the program; makes other changes	Jim Walsh
ITL	Multiple versions	Prohibit Estate Taxes Initiative	Taxes	Prohibits the imposition of estate taxes on people who die on or after December 8, 2022	Tim Eyman
ITL	#1439	Dedication of Vehicle Sales Tax to Fund Highway Projects Initiative	Taxes and Transportation	Requires sales and use tax revenue collected on vehicle sales to be deposited in the Motor Vehicle Fund and spent on maintaining highways	Jed Darland
ITL	#1441	Prohibit Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations, Mask Mandates, and Lockdowns	Healthcare, COVID-19	Prohibits the governor, state public health authorities, publicly funded businesses and organizations from imposing mandatory vaccinations, mask-wearing, and lockdowns	Vongphet Von Galt
ITL	#1442	Prohibit Marijuana Cultivation, Processing, and Sales in Residential Zones Initiative	Marijuana	Prohibits the cultivation, processing, and sales of marijuana in areas zoned as residential	Regis Costello
ITL	#1443	Prohibit Penalizations on Businesses for Noncompliance with Government Vaccine Requirements	Healthcare, COVID-19	Prohibits penalizing businesses for not complying with government vaccine requirements	Vongphet Von Galt
ITL	#1444	Prohibit Marijuana Cultivation, Processing, and Sales in Residential Zones Initiative	Education	Prohibits physical restraint and seclusion as punishment for children in schools	Richard Pope

Initiatives to the People

See also: Initiatives to the People

Type	Number	Title	Subject	Description	Sponsor	Status
ITP	1922	Drug Decriminalization and Substance Abuse Program Funding Initiative	Drug crime policy	Decriminalize the possession of drugs and controlled substances and fund substance abuse prevention and treatment programs	Peter Danelo
ITP	1929	Repeal Capital Gains Tax Measure	Taxes	Repeals a 7% capital gains tax that was set to begin being collected in 2023	J. Vander Stoep
ITP	1819	Prohibit Physical Restraint and Isolation or Seclusion in Schools Initiative	Education	Prohibit physical restraint and seclusion as punishment for children in schools	Richard Pope
ITP	1820	Allow Motorcycles to Pass Vehicles Between Lanes Initiative	Transportation	Allow motorcycles to pass a stopped vehicle by moving between two lanes	Mark Horan
ITP	1821	Prohibit Marijuana Cultivation, Processing, and Distribution in Residential Zones Initiative	Marijuana	Prohibit the cultivation, processing, and sales of marijuana in areas zoned as residential	Regis Costello
ITP	1822, 1823	Property Tax Reduction Initiative	Taxes	Reduce property taxes (by 25% under version 1822 and 33% under version 1823) and prohibit property tax on items that sales or use tax was paid on	Tim Eyman
ITP	Multiple versions	Prohibit Carbon Tax and Repeal Legislation Creating Carbon Programs Initiative	Taxes and Environment	Prohibit state or local government from imposing a cap and tax carbon tax and repeal 2021 legislation concerning carbon taxes and carbon reduction programs	Tim Eyman
ITP	Multiple versions	Prohibit Income Tax, Remove Capital Gains Tax, and Remove Premiums for Family Medical Leave and Long-Term Care Programs Initiative	Taxes	Prohibit a state and local income tax, remove capital gains tax, and remove premiums for family medical leave and long-term care programs	Tim Eyman
ITP	Multiple versions	Remove Estate Taxes Initiative	Taxes	Remove estate taxes on the estates of people who die on or after December 8, 2022	Jim Walsh/Tim Eyman
ITP	1837, 1840, 1841	Remove Taxes Based on Personal Income Initiative	Taxes	Prohibit state and local governments from imposing taxes based on personal income; repeal capital gains excise tax on certain sales of assets	Jim Walsh
ITP	Multiple versions	Prohibit School Staff Training from Including Specified Topics Surrounding Race and Sex Initiative	Education	Prohibit school district staff and teacher training and professional development programs from containing nine specified topics related to race and sex	Jim Walsh
ITP	Multiple versions	Voter Approval Requirement for Tax Increases	Taxes	Require voter approval of tax increases, thereby making Washington tax advisory votes under Initiative 960 of 2007 binding	Jim Walsh
ITP	Multiple versions	Limit Emergency Powers of Governor and Secretary of Health During Health Emergencies	State executives, COVID-19	Limit the Governor's emergency powers and executive orders; limit emergency policies and orders from the Secretary of Health; and require legislative extension of emergency policies and executive orders after 14 days	Jim Walsh
ITP	Multiple versions	Supermajority Legislative Vote or Voter Approval for Tax Increases Initiative	Taxes	Require state laws that increase taxes to expire after one year unless (some versions of the initiative would require tax increase measures to be passed by a two-thirds supermajority vote or receive majority statewide voter approval)	Tim Eyman
ITP	Multiple versions	Prohibit Governments from Imposing Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations, Mask Mandates, and Lockdowns	Healthcare, COVID-19	Prohibit the governor, state public health authorities, publicly funded businesses and organizations from imposing mandatory vaccinations, mask-wearing, and lockdowns; and allow medical, religious, and philosophical exemptions to such requirements	Vongphet Von Galt
ITP	Multiple versions	Prohibit State and Local Government Limits on Purchasing Firearms Initiative	Firearms	Prohibit state and local governments from limiting the purchase or ownership of firearms	Larry Jensen
ITP	Multiple versions	Prohibit State and Local Government Proof-of-Vaccine Requirements Initiative	Healthcare, COVID-19	Prohibit state or local governments from requiring proof of vaccination to enter a public place	Jim Walsh
ITP	1871	App-Based Driver Compensation and Rideshare Company Policies Initiative	Business regulation	Provide that app-based drivers keep 100% of tips and prohibit ride-share companies from decreasing compensation based on the driver's earned tips; direct rideshare companies to create and publish sexual harassment and discrimination prevention policies	Robert Gulbranson
ITP	1872	Ban Research and Experiments on Cats and Dogs Initiative	Treatment of animals	Prohibit confinement, research, and experiments of cats and dogs by laboratories, research operations, and breeding mills	Clifford Greene
ITP	1873	Judges as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse Initiative	State judiciary	Make judges in Washington mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse	Delori S Soukup
ITP	1878	Withdraw from National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Initiative	Elections and campaigns	Withdraw Washington from the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact	Michael McKee (Restore Washington)
ITP	1879	Repeal Long-Term Services and Support Trusts Program Initiative	State and local government budgets, spending and finance and Healthcare	Repeal the long-term services and supports trust program	Michael McKee (Restore Washington)
ITP	1886	Psilocybin Services Initiative	Drug crime policy and Healthcare	Creates Washington Psilocybin Advisory Board; creates a program to provide psilocybin products and services to individuals age 21 and older	Kelly Russel
ITP	1894	State Expenditure Limit Initiative	State budget	Creates a state expenditure limit	Jim Walsh
ITP	1910	Limit Governor State of Emergency Proclamations	State executives, COVID-19	Limit governor's state of emergency proclamations to 60 days unless extended by the state legislature up to a limit of 180 days; prohibits subsequent proclamations from being issued surrounding the same or a similar public state of emergency/expired proclamation	Luke Sneeringer
ITP	1913	Fuel Tax Repeal Initiative	Taxes and Transportation	Repeals state law that imposes taxes on transportation fuel	Aaron Lang
ITP	Multiple versions	Repeal Capital Gains Tax Initiative	Taxes	Repeals a 7% capital gains tax that was set to begin being collected in 2023	April Featherkile
ITP	1924	Taxes and Discounts Included in Price Tags Initiative	Taxes	Provides that price tags must include all taxes and discounts	Blaine Bradshaw
ITP	1925	Motor Vehicle Tax Revenue for Highway Purposes Initiative	Taxes	Dedicates motor vehicle tax revenue to the motor vehicle fund for highway purposes	Lori Theis
ITP	Multiple versions	Capital Gains Tax Changes Initiative	Taxes	Changes capital gains tax brackets and rates	Eric Lowney

Veto referendums

See also: How many veto referendums have there been in Washington?

Type	Number	Title	Subject	Description	Sponsor	Status
VR	R-96	Referendum 96, Transportation Charges and Funding Measure	State budget, Transportation, and Taxes	Repeals Senate Bill 5974, called the Move Ahead Washington transportation package, concerning increased transportation-related charges (including an aircraft fuel tax and license plate fees) and transportation funding	Will Knedlik
VR	R-97	Referendum 97, Large Capacity Magazines Measure	Firearms	Repeals Senate Bill 5078, which was designed to prohibit the sale of large-capacity magazines (defined as "certain ammunition-feeding devices that can accept more than 10 rounds of ammunition")	Karren Jennings
VR	R-99	Referendum 99, Cap-and-Invest Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measure	Environment and Taxes	Repeals Senate Bill 5842 concerning greenhouse gas emissions and the state's cap and invest program	Tim Eyman
VR	R-100	Referendum 100, Transportation Charges and Funding Measure	State budget, Transportation, and Taxes	Repeals Senate Bill 5974, called the Move Ahead Washington transportation package, concerning increased transportation-related charges (including an aircraft fuel tax and license plate fees) and transportation funding	Tim Eyman

State profile

Demographic data for Washington
	Washington	U.S.
Total population:	7,160,290	316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):	66,456	3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:	77.8%	73.6%
Black/African American:	3.6%	12.6%
Asian:	7.7%	5.1%
Native American:	1.3%	0.8%
Pacific Islander:	0.6%	0.2%
Two or more:	5.2%	3%
Hispanic/Latino:	12%	17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:	90.4%	86.7%
College graduation rate:	32.9%	29.8%
Income
Median household income:	$61,062	$53,889
Persons below poverty level:	14.4%	11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Washington. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Presidential voting pattern

See also: Presidential voting trends in Washington

Washington voted for the Democratic candidate in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.

Pivot Counties (2016)

Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, five are located in Washington, accounting for 2.43 percent of the total pivot counties.

Pivot Counties (2020)

In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Washington had four Retained Pivot Counties and one Boomerang Pivot County, accounting for 2.21 and 4.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.

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• More...

See also

• 2022 ballot measures
• List of Washington ballot measures
• Laws governing the initiative process in Washington
• History of Initiative & Referendum in Washington

External links

• Washington Secretary of State - Initiatives & Referenda