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Tag: liquor privatization

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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WA 2011 election turnout: almost 53 percent

WA 2011 election turnout: almost 53 percent

Counties have certified election returns for the 2011 General Election, with results from 1.94 million ballots. Secretary of State Sam Reed and Gov. Chris Gregoire will certify the election next Monday. The state enjoyed a better-than-expected “turnout” of 52.95 percent, or 6 percentage points higher than forecast for the off-year election with no statewide contests such as governor, U.S. senator or president on the ballot.  Secretary Reed said Wednesday he was pleased with the turnout:   “This was our first…

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State election crews begin initiative checks

State election crews begin initiative checks

It’s that season again.  State election crews are hard at work, hunched over computer screens and stacks of initiative petitions, checking signatures to make sure they are valid, registered Washington voters and that the signatures match the one on file. The inspectors are checking signatures for three initiatives this year, and began Wednesday morning with the measure submitted by initiative activist Tim Eyman, I-1125, dealing with transportation tolls.  As with the other two initiatives, the I-1125 campaign turned in enough…

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WA election: The count continues

WA election: The count continues

“Election Day” is history now, but in Washington, it’s just the beginning.  The count goes on … and on. The Election Night report from our 39 counties showed us a great snapshot — about 60 percent of the 2.4 million expected ballots were tallied.  The rest, either still in the mail or in the courthouses  awaiting the time-consuming process of scrutinizing each ballot, will be added over the coming days.  Most counties will be adding freshly processed ballots daily, and…

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Big bucks: New report shows $20m for initiatives

Big bucks: New report shows $20m for initiatives

The Washington Public Disclosure Commission reports that state initiative efforts have drawn over $20 million in contributions.  This includes the $10 million raised by Stop the Food & Beverage Tax Hikes, promoters of Initiative 1107, which would roll back recently adopted taxes on pop, bottled water, and candy.  Most of the money and in-kind contributions came from the American Beverage Association. The commission said Washington Citizens for Liquor Reform, backers of I-1105, brought in $2 million from two sources.  This…

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Here’s your quick guide to WA ballot measures

Here’s your quick guide to WA ballot measures

Here’s a quick once-over from our state Elections Division (recap only, not the fancy wording from the Attorney General wordsmiths): Office of the Secretary of State 2010 Ballot Measures Overview Initiatives on the Ballot Initiative Measure 1098 – State Income Tax on High Income Earners This measure would tax “adjusted gross income” above $200,000 (individuals) and $400,000 (joint-filers), reduce state property tax levies, reduce certain business and occupation taxes, and direct any increased revenues to education and health. Initiative Measure…

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Voters wild about `direct democracy’

Voters wild about `direct democracy’

The use of  the initiative and referendum process ebbs and flows from year to year, seeming to track the economy and whether interest groups believe Olympia is attentive to their issues.  This year is one of those high-watermark years, with a record 75 initiatives to the people  filed and six headed for a statewide vote after meeting the significant signature requirement. According to a new tally from the state Elections Division Thursday, 2,230,902 signatures were submitted this year in support…

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Costco booze measure first one in

Costco booze measure first one in

As expected, the I-1100 signature petition sheets were delivered to our Elections Division office at about 12:30 today, making it the first initiative this year to turn in sigs. I-1100, backed by Costco and other retailers, would privatize liquor sales in Washington. A spokesman for 1100 said that they collected more than 396,000 signatures in only 27 days. A minimum of 241,153 signatures from Washington registered voters is needed to make it on the November ballot, and we’re recommending that…

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