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Tag: Initiatives

High court overturns supermajority for taxes

High court overturns supermajority for taxes

The Washington Supreme Court, in a bombshell decision handed down just days before Gov. Jay Inslee and lawmakers tackle a multibillion-dollar budget gap, invalidated a popular voter-approved requirement of a two-thirds supermajority for taxes raised in Olympia. The court, in a decisive 6-3 ruling, said the state Constitution clearly says a bill becomes a law by gaining a majority in each house. The justices noted that this is the first time the court directly answers the question of whether the…

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New video looks at initiative process

New video looks at initiative process

The Office of Secretary of State has released an educational video entitled “A Look at the Washington State Initiative Process.” It gives an inside look at the journey of an initiative from conception to certification by our Elections Division. The history of Washington’s initiative process, a detailed overview of the signature check procedures, and an explanation of the Legislature’s role are included. Commentary from Secretary of State Kim Wyman and Elections Division officials can be seen throughout the video. Wyman…

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WA voters: Yes to gay marriage, Obama & Democrats …

WA voters: Yes to gay marriage, Obama & Democrats …

But the governor’s race, the marquee state contest in the General Election, remains very close.  Democrat Jay Inslee, who gave up a safe congressional seat to run for the office being vacated by two-term Gov. Chris Gregoire, led Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna 51.32 percent to 48.68 percent, or about 50,000 votes out of nearly 1.9 million counted.  Inslee told cheering supporters it looked like victory, but didn’t declare himself the winner in so many words.  McKenna, still seeing a…

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Secretary Reed: YOUR vote is your voice

Secretary Reed: YOUR vote is your voice

Secretary of State Sam Reed is urging voters to take part in “one of the most significant and interesting elections in modern times.”  He said enthusiasm is “sky-high” in Washington, which regularly enjoys one of the best voter participation rates in the country. Reed noted that more than 8 out of 10 voters are expected to cast ballots, with some counties forecasting turnout even higher than the 81 percent he has predicted statewide.  He said he would be delighted, of…

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Reed urges strong Top 2 Primary turnout

Reed urges strong Top 2 Primary turnout

Secretary of State Sam Reed is urging a great turnout for Washington’s Top 2 Primary, which offers voters a chance to pick finalists for Governor, U.S. Congress, Legislature, and many state and local offices.  Tuesday is your deadline for mail ballots to be postmarked or placed in county election dropbox. Reed says the election offers ballot draws for just about everyone: “This is one of those watershed election years, and the action begins with the primary. There are lots of…

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Charter-school I-1240 qualifies for statewide ballot

Charter-school I-1240 qualifies for statewide ballot

And then there were six. Secretary of State Sam Reed has certified charter-school Initiative 1240 to the November statewide ballot. It will be the fourth time Washington voters have dealt with the issue in the past 16 years. The measure earned a place on the ballot after submitting over 357,000 signatures that sponsors collected in a remarkably short 21-day signature-gathering drive financed by powerful backers, including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. With I-1240 getting the green light, Washington voters now will…

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Charter school fans, Eyman submit initiative sigs

Charter school fans, Eyman submit initiative sigs

State Rep. Eric Pettigrew, D-Seattle, a charter schools supporter, talks with the media after I-1240 signatures were submitted Friday morning. Sponsors of two citizen initiatives have submitted signatures far in excess of the 241,000 bare minimum needed to qualify, and appear to be in good position to make the November statewide ballot. That would bring to six the number of state ballot propositions facing the voters, including gay marriage and marijuana decriminalization. Friday — four months before Election Day —…

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Citizen initiative process now open for business

Citizen initiative process now open for business

Getting a jump on the Monday convening of the Washington Legislature, the citizen initiative process for 2012 got underway on Friday. Initiative activist Tim Eyman filed five measures, dealing with $30 car tabs, traffic cameras, supermajority for taxes, the initiative process and creation of an office of inspector general to investigate fraud. Typically, Eyman submits a number of proposals and drafts and decides later which one(s) to pursue with a full initiative signature drive. Sponsors of a “safe cannabis act”…

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Gregoire, Reed certify 2011 election returns

Gregoire, Reed certify 2011 election returns

Gov.  Chris Gregoire and Secretary of State Sam Reed have officially certified the 2011 General Election returns, including statewide ballot propositions, including an initiative that ends state government’s retail liquor monopoly. Meeting in the governor’s office, they signed documents certifying the vote tallies. The state enjoyed a better-than-expected “turnout” of 52.95 percent, nearly 1.94 million ballots.  The turnout was 6 percentage points higher than forecast for the off-year election with no statewide contests such as governor, U.S. senator or president…

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Washington’s 2011 election deadline fast approaching

Washington’s 2011 election deadline fast approaching

Washington’s 2011 ballot-return deadline is fast approaching. Tuesday is the deadline to have a ballot postmarked or returned to an official ballot drop-off site.  The state Elections Division is recommending return of completed ballots by Saturday if possible. If you think you’re registered to vote, but haven’t received a ballot, contact your county elections office. Voters can also double-check online by visiting www.myvote.wa.gov. Secretary of State Sam Reed predicts a 47 percent ballot return, with roughly half of those to…

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