Washington 2025 local ballot measures

Washington Local Ballot Measures
2026 » « 2024
Washington ballot measures
State measures
Local measures
2025 ballot measures
State measures
Local measures

Ballotpedia covered local ballot measures in Washington on February 11, April 22, August 5, and November 4, 2025.

In 2025, Ballotpedia covered local ballot measures that appeared on the ballot for voters within the 100 largest cities in the U.S., within state capitals, and throughout California and Virginia. You can review the coverage scope of the local ballot measures project here.

Ballotpedia covered electoral system-related ballot measures, like ranked-choice voting, outside of the largest cities.

Election dates

November 4

August 5

April 22

February 11

King County

See also: King County, Washington ballot measures

• King County, Washington, Proposition 1, Emergency Medical Services Property Tax Measure (November 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported levying a property tax at a rate of $25 per $100,000 of assessed property value for six years to fund emergency medical services.

A "no" vote opposed levying a property tax at a rate of $25 per $100,000 of assessed property value for six years to fund emergency medical services.

• Seattle, Washington, Proposition 1, Property Tax for Education, Childcare, and Job Readiness Programs Measure (November 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported replacing an expiring property tax for six years at a starting rate of $72 per $100,000 of assessed property value, with a maximum rate of $302, to fund childcare, preschool, K-12 educational support, and job readiness programs.

A "no" vote opposed replacing an expiring property tax for six years at a starting rate of $72 per $100,000 of assessed property value, with a maximum rate of $302, to fund childcare, preschool, K-12 educational support, and job readiness programs.

• Seattle, Washington, Proposition 2, Changes to Business and Occupation Tax Measure (November 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported changing the threshold from $100,000 to $2 million in gross receipts for the business and occupation tax; creating a $2 million standard deduction; and increasing tax rates for seven years

A "no" vote opposed changing the threshold from $100,000 to $2 million in gross receipts for the business and occupation tax; creating a $2 million standard deduction; and increasing tax rates for seven years

Thurston County

See also: Thurston County, Washington ballot measures

• Olympia, Washington, Proposition 1, $20 Minimum Wage and Work Regulations Initiative (November 2025):  ✖

A "yes" vote supported the changing employment law in Olympia by: increasing minimum wage to $20 per hour; requiring that large employers provide fair schedules, as defined in law, and 14 days' advanced notice of schedules to employees; requiring employers to offer extra hours to employees before hiring additional staff;  creating new workplace safety laws, among other changes.

A "no" vote opposed making changes to employment law in Olympia.

Spokane County

See also: Spokane County, Washington ballot measures

• Spokane, Washington, Increase Property Tax Rate to Fund Park Improvements Measure (November 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported increasing the property tax from $232 per $100,000 to $259 per $100,000 in assessed value to fund park renovations and improvements.

A "no" vote opposed increasing the property tax from $232 per $100,000 to $259 per $100,000 in assessed value to fund park renovations and improvements.

• Spokane Public Schools, Washington, School Construction Projects Bond Measure (November 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported issuing $200 million in general obligation bonds to rebuild and modernize public schools in Spokane.

A "no" vote opposed issuing $200 million in general obligation bonds to rebuild and modernize public schools in Spokane.

King County

See also: King County, Washington ballot measures

• King County, Washington, Proposition 1, Levy Property Tax Above the Limit for Six Years to Fund Open Space Projects Measure (August 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported increasing the property taxes in King County, beginning at $23.29 per $100,000 of assessed value and increasing with inflation each year, for a period of six years, the proceeds of which would fund open space projects in King County.

A "no" vote opposed increasing the property taxes in King County, beginning at $23.29 per $100,000 of assessed value and increasing with inflation each year, for a period of six years, the proceeds of which would fund open space projects in King County.

• King County Fire Protection District No. 40, Washington, Proposition 1, Decrease the Size of the Board of Commissioners Measure (August 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported decreasing the number of members in the King County Fire Protection District No. 40 from five to three members.

A "no" vote opposed decreasing the number of members in the King County Fire Protection District No. 40 from five to three members.

• Public Hospital District No. 2, Washington, Proposition 1, Raise the Property Tax Rate for 2025 Measure (August 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported levying a property tax in the King County Public Hospital District No. 2 that amounts to $50.00 per $100,000 in assessed value in 2025.

A "no" vote opposed levying a property tax in the King County Public Hospital District No. 2 that amounts to $50.00 per $100,000 in assessed value in 2025.

• Seattle, Washington, Proposition 1, Democracy Voucher Program Property Tax Renewal Measure (August 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported replacing an expiring levy with a new ten-year property tax levy starting in 2026—adding $1.50 per $100,000 of assessed value, for a total rate of up to $227 per $100,000—to fund and administer Seattle’s Democracy Voucher program, with the 2026 amount serving as the base through 2035.

A "no" vote opposed replacing the expiring levy, thereby rejecting the proposed new ten-year property tax levy starting in 2026 to fund and administer Seattle’s Democracy Voucher program.

• Shoreline School District, Washington, Proposition 1, Levy a Supplemental Property Tax for 2026 to Fund Education Programs Measure (August 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported allowing Shoreline School District to implement a supplemental property tax of $34.00 per $100,000 of assessed value in 2026 to fund schools and education programs.

A "no" vote opposed allowing Shoreline School District to implement a supplemental property tax of $34.00 per $100,000 of assessed value in 2026 to fund schools and education programs.

Spokane County

See also: Spokane County, Washington ballot measures

• Spokane Valley, Washington, Proposition 1, Increase the Sales and Use Tax Rate Measure (August 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported raising the city's sales and use tax rate by 0.1%.

A "no" vote opposed raising the city's sales and use tax rate by 0.1%.

• Spokane Valley – Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer Protection Area, Washington, Proposition 1, Monthly Water Fee Renewal Measure (August 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported renewing the authority of the Spokane Valley – Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer Protection Area to impose monthly fees in an amount not to exceed $1.25 per household unit for the withdrawal of water and $1.25 per household unit for on-site sewage disposal for up to 20 years.

A "no" vote opposed renewing the authority of the Spokane Valley – Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer Protection Area to impose monthly fees in an amount not to exceed $1.25 per household unit for the withdrawal of water and $1.25 per household unit for on-site sewage disposal for up to 20 years.

King County

See also: King County, Washington ballot measures

• King County, Washington, Proposition 1, Property Tax Levy for Regional Automated Fingerprint Identification System Measure (April 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported authorizing a seven-year property tax levy starting in 2026 at a rate of $2.75 per $100,000 of assessed value to fund King County’s regional automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS), with exemptions for eligible seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing a seven-year property tax levy starting in 2026 at a rate of $2.75 per $100,000 of assessed value to fund King County’s regional automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS), with exemptions for eligible seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.

King County

See also: King County, Washington ballot measures

• Burien, Washington, Initiative Measure 1, Minimum Wage and Labor Policies Initiative (February 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported adopting the local minimum wage of Tukwila and adjusting it based on employer size, requiring companies to offer more hours to part-time employees before hiring; and providing remedies and penalties for violations of the ordinance.

A "no" vote opposed adopting the local minimum wage of Tukwila and adjusting it based on employer size, requiring companies to offer more hours to part-time employees before hiring; and providing remedies and penalties for violations of the ordinance.

• Seattle, Washington, Proposition 1A and 1B, Funding Source for Social Housing Developer Measure (February 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported using revenue from taxes on payroll expenses in order to fund the development and maintenance of social housing in Seattle—either by:  establishing a new tax of 5% on annual compensation above $1,000,000 paid in Seattle to any employee, as proposed by Proposition 1A (Initiative 137), or using existing payroll expense tax revenues to allocate $10,000,000 from the next five annual budgets, as proposed by Proposition 1B (City Ordinance 127101).

A "no" vote opposed using revenue from taxes on payroll expenses in order to fund the development and maintenance of social housing in Seattle.

• Seattle Public Schools, Washington, Proposition 1, Educational Programs and Operations Levy Renewal (February 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported renewing the educational programs and operations levy for three years generating a total of $747 million.

A "no" vote opposed renewing the educational programs and operations levy for three years generating a total of $747 million.

• Seattle Public Schools, Washington, Proposition 2, Capital Levy Renewal (February 2025):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported renewing the capital levy for six years generating a total of $1.8 billion.

A "no" vote opposed renewing the capital levy for six years generating a total of $1.8 billion.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Washington

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Washington.

How to vote 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.

Registration

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. A person must also not be disqualified from voting due to a court order or imprisoned for a felony conviction in Washington, federal prison, or another state. Individuals who are 16 years or older can pre-register to vote.

One may register to vote online, by mail, or in person at a county elections department or voting center. Registration must be completed eight days in advance if done by mail or online. In-person registration is available through 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Automatic registration

See also: Automatic voter 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. After the person's information is processed they will receive a confirmation in the mail from the county elections office.

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

See also: Same-day voter registration

Washington allows same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

To register to vote in Washington, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

On November 7, 2023, the Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington challenging a provision in the state constitution that requires voters to live in the state for at least 30 days before Election Day. In March 2024, a federal judge approved a consent decree, with the state of Washington agreeing not to enforce the provision.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

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 makes 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."

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. 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. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. 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, “The county auditor shall require any person desiring to vote at a voting center to either sign a ballot declaration or provide identification.”

The following list of accepted ID was current as of December 2025. Click here for the Washington State Legislature's voter ID regulations to ensure you have the most current information.

“

The identification must be valid photo identification, such as a driver's license, state identification card, student identification card, tribal identification card, or employer identification card. A tribal identification card is not required to include a residential address or an expiration date to be considered valid under this section. Any individual who desires to vote in person but cannot provide identification shall be issued a provisional ballot, which shall be accepted if the signature on the declaration matches the signature on the voter's registration record.

”

See also

• Local ballot measure elections in 2025
• Local ballot measures, Washington

Footnotes

2025 ballot measures

State ballot measures

States:  • California • Colorado • Louisiana • Maine • New York • Ohio • Texas • Washington • Wisconsin

Topics: Absentee and mail voting •  Administrative organization •  Agriculture policy •  Athletics and sports •  Bail policy •  Bond issues •  Budget stabilization funds •  Business taxes •  Citizenship voting requirements •  Civil trials •  Constitutional rights •  Criminal sentencing •  Drinking water systems •  Election administration and governance •  Family-related policy •  Firearms policy •  Food policy •  Healthcare governance •  Higher education funding •  Highways and bridges •  Homestead tax exemptions •  Income taxes •  Juvenile criminal justice •  Local government finance and taxes •  Parks, land, and natural area conservation •  Pollution, waste, and recycling policy •  Property tax exemptions •  Property taxes •  Public assistance programs •  Public education funding •  Public employee retirement funds •  Public school teachers and staff •  Redistricting policy •  Restricted-use funds •  Revenue allocation •  Revenue and spending limits •  Sales taxes •  Severance taxes •  Sewage and stormwater •  State judicial authority •  State judicial selection •  State judiciary oversight •  State judiciary structure •  State legislative authority •  State legislative vote requirements •  Vaccinations and disease policy •  Veterans policy •  Voter ID policy •  Water storage

Local ballot measures

 • Alaska • Arizona • California • Florida • Georgia • Idaho • Illinois • Iowa • Kansas • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Texas • Vermont • Washington

Overviews

 • Scorecard •Tuesday Count •Deadlines •Filed ballot initiatives •Potential ballot measures •Polls •Campaign finance •Signature costs •Readability