Laws governing local ballot measures in Washington
From Ballotpedia
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This page describes the state constitutional provisions and statutes that govern local ballot measures in Washington. Jurisdictions often establish additional rules within the parameters of state law; those can be found in local ordinances and home-rule charters.
Explore the links below for more information:
- Laws addressing local ballot measure powers in Washington
- General requirements for local ballot measures
- Rules for citizen-initiated local ballot measures
- Rules for referred local ballot measures
Law
The Washington Constitution and the Revised Code of Washington establish the rules that govern local ballot measures in the state.
- Constitution: Article XI, Section 4 and Article XI, Section 10
- Statutes: Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 35.22, Section 35.22.120, Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 35.22, Section 35.22.200, Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 35A.11, Section 35A.11.080, Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 35A.11, Section 35A.11.100, Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 35A.29, Section 35A.29.170
General
The following outlines the general rules that govern local ballot measures in Washington, including both citizen-initiated measures and referred measures from local government bodies.
- Election timing: Election timing for each municipality and county depends on their local charters, as authorized by Article XI, Section 4 and Article XI, Section 10 of the Washington Constitution.
- Vote requirements:
- A simple majority is required to pass both charter amendments in both counties and cities.
- Washington's bond issue laws treat school districts and other forms of municipal government identically and therefore requires a 3/5ths (60%) super-majority and a 40% voter turnout for approval.
- Article VII of the Washington Constitution requires a 3/5ths (60%) majority vote to authorize bonds and tax levies requiring voter approval in any taxing district other than school districts. This includes municipalities, fire districts, counties and any other political subdivision. In school districts, tax levy measures can be approved by a simple majority with no minimum voter turnout requirement, but bond measures must still be approved by a 3/5ths. Moreover, the number of voters in any election requiring a 3/5ths super-majority must be at least equal to 40% of the voters in the last general election.[1]
- However, districts imposing an EMS property tax levy of not more than $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for six or ten continuous years need only receive a majority approval. Such a tax imposed permanently must still be approved by 3/5ths (60%) of voters with a 40% voter turnout.[2]
- Under RCW 52.18.050, a county fire protection district can impose a benefit charge with a 60% majority vote from the residents of that district. No voter turnout percentage is required.[3]
- Required ballot measures:
- Washington mandates that school districts must obtain voter approval to bring in more than one percent for general debt or five percent for capital outlays. Washington State requires a election for all bond issues exceeding three-eights of one percent of taxable property.
- Types of cities:
- First class cities: Article XI, Section 10 of the Washington Constitution grants first class cities the authority to adopt a charter, and RCW 35.22.200 provides that a first class city charter may provide for the initiative and referendum process by the people. All of the ten first class cities have adopted the powers of initiative and referendum:[4][5]
- Second class cities: Second class cities do not have the authority to establish initiative and referendum powers. The governing bodies of second class cities can, however, submit non-binding, advisory ballots to the voters.[5]
- Commission cities: Commission cities are automatically granted the powers of initiative and referendum. As of 2017, there are no remaining commission cities in the state.[6]
- Code cities: Code cities are not automatically granted the powers of initiative and referendum and must formally adopt them. The process requires a petition with signatures equal to at least 50% of the votes cast in the last general municipal election requesting their adoption, and is subject to a referendum vote if an opposing petition with at least 10% of the votes cast at the last general municipal election is filed within 90 days after the publication of the resolution. If no opposing petition is filed within the 90-day period, then the city council must enact an ordinance formally adopting the powers of initiative and referendum. As of September 2022, 56 code cities have adopted these powers:[5]
- Battle Ground
- Bellevue
- Black Diamond
- Blaine
- Bonney Lake
- Bothell
- Brier
- Burien
- Camas
- Chelan
- Cheney
- Clarkston
- Des Moines
- Edgewood
- Edmonds
- Ellensburg
- Federal Way
- Ferndale
- Gig Harbor
- Goldendale
- Issaquah
- Kahlotus
- Kalama
- Kelso
- Kenmore
- Kent
- La Center
- Lakewood
- Lake Forest Park
- Longview
- Lynnwood
- Mercer Island
- Mill Creek
- Monroe
- Mountlake Terrace
- Mukilteo
- North Bend
- Ocean Shores
- Olympia
- Port Angeles
- Puyallup
- Rainier
- Redmond
- Renton
- Ridgefield
- Sammamish
- SeaTac
- Sequim
- Shoreline
- Spokane Valley
- Tukwila
- Tumwater
- Walla Walla
- Washougal
- Wenatchee
- Woodinville
- Types of counties:
- Commission counties: If a county does not go through the charter process, it remains a commission form of government. Commission counties do not have the powers of initiative and referendum.
- Charter counties: Article XI of the Washington Constitution grants counties the option to adopt a charter, which may also provide for the initiative and referendum process. The following seven counties have adopted a charter, with each adopting the powers of initiative and referendum:[5]
Initiatives
The following outlines the general rules that govern local citizen-initiated ballot measures in Washington.
- Authority:
- Signatures:
- First class cities: Each first class city has their own signature requirements for initiatives to be placed on the ballot:[5]
- Aberdeen: At least 25% of the qualified registered voters for the city voting during the last general municipal election.
- Bellingham: At least 25% of the total number of votes cast during the last regular municipal election.
- Bremerton: At least 20% of the votes cast during the last municipal general election for all candidates for the office of mayor.
- Everett: At least 15% of the total number of votes cast during the last municipal general election.
- Richland: At least 20% of the total votes cast during the last regular general election.
- Seattle: At least 10% of the total number of votes cast for the office of mayor during the last municipal election.
- Spokane: At least 15% of the total number of votes cast at thelast general municipal election.
- Tacoma: At least 10% of the total votes cast at the last council-manic election.
- Vancouver: At least 15% of the number of votes cast at the last municipal general election.
- Yakima: At least 20% of the total number of votes cast at the last preceding general city election.
- Code cities: In code cities, a petition must contain the valid signatures of at least 15% of the total number of names of persons listed as registered voters within the city on the day of the last preceding city general election.Cite error: Closing
</ref>missing for<ref>tag - Charter counties: Each charter county has their own deadline requirements for referrals:[5]
- Clallam County: Any voter has 10 days after an ordinance is passed by the local government to file a referendum proposal. Afterwards, a petitioner has 60 days to get the signatures of at least 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election.
- Clark County: Any voter has 10 days after an ordinance is passed by the local government to file a referendum proposal. Afterwards, a petitioner has 45 days to get the signatures of at least 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election.
- King County: Any voter has 45 days after an ordinance is passed by the local government to file a referendum proposal.
- Pierce County: Any voter has 15 days after an ordinance is passed by the local government to file a referendum proposal. Afterwards, a petitioner has 120 days to get the signatures of at least 8% of the votes cast in the last election for county executive.
- Snohomish County: Any voter has 10 days after an ordinance is passed by the local government to file a referendum proposal with at least 100 signatures. Afterwards, a petitioner has 45 days to get the signatures of at least 5% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election.
- San Juan County: Any voter has 45 days after an ordinance is passed by the local government to file a referendum proposal.
- Whatcom County: Any voter has 45 days after an ordinance is passed by the local government to file a referendum proposal.
- First class cities: Each first class city has their own signature requirements for initiatives to be placed on the ballot:[5]
Laws governing local ballot measures in the U.S.
Laws governing local ballot measures in the United States
As state laws govern ballot measures, the rules are different from state to state. Click on a state below to explore that state's laws on local ballot measures.
See also
- Laws governing local ballot measures
- Laws governing local ballot measures in Washington
- Local ballot measures, Washington
- Counties in Washington
Footnotes
- ↑ Washington Constitution, See Article VII, section 2(a)
- ↑ RCW 84.52.069
- ↑ RCW 52.18.050
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "Revised Code of Washington", Chapter 35.22, Section 35.22.200
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington (MRSC), "Initiative and Referendum Guide for Washington Cities and Charter Counties," June 2024
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "Revised Code of Washington", Chapter 35.17
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