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Washington Affirmative Action and Diversity Commission Initiative (2018)
| Washington Affirmative Action and Diversity Commission Initiative | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 6, 2018 | |
| Topic Affirmative action | |
| Status Not on the ballot | |
| Type State statute | Origin Citizens |
The Washington Affirmative Action and Diversity Commission Initiative (#1644) was not on the ballot in Washington as an Initiative to the People, a type of initiated state statute, on November 6, 2018.
Affirmative action in Washington refers to the steps taken by employers and universities in Washington to increase the proportions of historically disadvantaged minority groups at those institutions. Historically, affirmative action nationwide has taken many different forms, such as strict quotas, extra outreach efforts, and racial and gender preferences. However, racial quotas in university admissions were banned in a 1978 United States Supreme Court case, Regents of the University of California v. Bakke.[1] To read more about affirmative action in Washington, click here.
The Washington Affirmative Action Ban Initiative appeared on the ballot in the November 3, 1998, election. The question was referred to the ballot as an Initiative to the Legislature, proposing to ban preferential treatment and discrimination in public education, employment and contracting. Voters approved the amendment by over 300,000 votes, making Washington the second state to enact such a measure. The approved ballot measure added a new section to Chapter 49.60 of Washington's state code.[2][3]
This measure would have restored affirmative action in Washington's state code without the use of quotas or preferential treatment. It would have clarified the definitions of affirmative action and preferential treatment. The intent of the measure was described as "to guarantee every resident of Washington state equal opportunity and access to public education, public employment, and public contracting without discrimination based on their race, sex, age, nationality, physical or mental disabilities, or military veteran status" and to "enable public agencies in the state of Washington to use race, sex, age, nationality, physical or mental disabilities, or military veteran status, as positive factors in educational admissions, employment hiring, and public contracting." The measure would have also created the governor's commission on diversity, equity, and inclusion, which would be responsible for ensuring compliance with this act, and would be required to issue an annual report on the progress of state agencies in achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion.[4] [5]
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for this initiative is below:[5]
| “ |
Initiative Measure No. 1644 concerns affirmative action and preferential treatment. This measure would allow government to implement affirmative action that does not constitute preferential treatment in public employment, education, and contracting in certain circumstances and would define affirmative action and preferential treatment. Should this measure be enacted into law? Yes [ ] No [ ] [6] |
” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this initiative is below:[5]
| “ |
This measure would amend state law to allow government to remedy, in the areas of public employment, education, and contracting, documented or proven discrimination against military veterans and certain historically underrepresented or disadvantaged groups. It would amend state law to allow government to implement affirmative action that does not constitute preferential treatment in certain circumstances. It would define affirmative action and preferential treatment. The measure would establish a Governor’s commission on diversity, equity, and inclusion. [6] |
” |
Full text
The full text of the initiative is available here.
Path to the ballot
The state process
In Washington, the number of signatures required to qualify a directly initiated state statute—called an Initiative to the People in Washington—for the ballot is equal to 8 percent of the votes cast for the office of governor at the last regular gubernatorial election. Initial filings for direct initiatives cannot be made more than 10 months before the general election at which their proposal would be presented to voters. Signatures must be submitted at least four months prior to the general election.
The requirements to get an Initiative to the People certified for the 2018 ballot:
- Signatures: 259,622 valid signatures were required.
- Deadline: The deadline to submit signatures was July 6, 2018.
The secretary of state verifies the signatures using a random sample method. If the sample indicates that the measure has sufficient signatures, the measure is certified for the ballot. However, if the sample indicates that the measure has insufficient signatures, every signature is checked. Under Washington law, a random sample result may not invalidate a petition.
Details about this initiative
- Estella Ortega submitted this initiative (#1644) on May 23, 2018. Ortega filed similar versions of the measure, initiative #1641-1643, which were then withdrawn by the sponsor on May 23, 2018.[5]
- A ballot title and summary were issued for it on May 31, 2018.[5]
- Proponents of the initiative did not submit signatures to the secretary of state's office by the July 6, 2018, deadline and the measure was not put on the ballot.[7][5]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Oyez, "Regents of the University of California v. Bakke," accessed February 11, 2015
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Affirmative Action: State Action," accessed April 21, 2015
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "RCW 49.60.400," accessed May 6, 2015
- ↑ Washington secretary of state, "Initiative #1644 Text," accessed May 24, 2018
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Washington secretary of state, "Proposed Initiatives to the People - 2018," accessed May 20, 2018
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Ballotpedia Staff Writer, Email communication with Lydia Plukchi of the Washington Secretary of State's office, July 9, 2018.
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State of Washington Olympia (capital) |
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