Ballot Measures
Democratic organizations in Washington State have made the following endorsements regarding statewide ballot measures. Endorsements made by the Washington State Democrats were voted on at the June 26th State Convention in Vancouver.
For everything you need to know about initiatives on this year's ballot, go to the Protect Washington website.
Referendum 52, Healthy Schools for Washington
Endorsements – Yes (Washington State Democrats)
Who’s behind it: Representative Hans Dunshee (D-44) wants to make public schools a healthier place for children, so he referred this measure to the people.
Who benefits: Kids and teachers benefit from a healthier place to learn and work; construction workers benefit from new jobs; public schools benefit from saved energy costs.
Who loses: No one.
Initiative 1053, concerning tax increases imposed by state government
Endorsements – No (Washington State Democrats)
Who’s behind it: Tim Eyman, BP Oil, Tesoro Oil, ConocoPhillips Oil, Bank of America.
Who benefits: Extremely partisan legislators who can hold our budget hostage; big companies enjoying tax loopholes.
Who loses: Voters who believe in the principles of democracy; taxpayers who want to close loopholes; services suffering under an all-cuts budget.
Initiative 1082, concerning industrial insurance
Endorsements – No (Washington State Democrats)
Who’s behind it: The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW), a longtime conservative political player.
Who benefits: Big insurance companies, the BIAW, and the conservative candidates funded by the BIAW’s warchest.
Who loses: Businesses who have to pay more in premiums; workers who are injured on the job.
Initiative 1098, concerning establishing a high-earners state income tax and reducing other taxes
Endorsements – Yes (Washington State Democrats)
Who’s behind it: Bill Gates Sr., Washington Education Association.
Who benefits: Kids, seniors, public schools, health care services, businesses, property owners, lower and middle class families would all benefit from better schools and better quality healthcare, small business benefit from elimination of the B&O tax, and property owners benefit from a property tax cut.
Who loses: Wealthy people who make over $200,000/year would pay a limited income tax on income above that threshold.
Initiative 1100 and 1105, concerning liquor
Endorsements – No (Washington State Democrats)
Who’s behind them: Wal-Mart, big grocery chains, out of state liquor distributors.
Who benefits: Wal-Mart, big grocery chains, big liquor distributors, binge drinkers and underage kids.
Who loses: City, county and state services would lose $700 million over 5 years; local craft brewers and Washington wineries would get pushed off the shelves; and alcohol-related crimes like drunk driving would increase.
Initiative 1107, concerning tax increases imposed by state government
Endorsements – No (Washington State Democrats)
Who’s behind it: The American Beverage Association, national lobbyist for the big soda companies.
Who benefits: Soda pop companies.
Who loses: Kids, seniors, public schools and health care services would lose $100 million each year.
The following endorsements on local ballot measures were made by local party organizations are made at individual party meetings. For endorsements on local measures not on this page, visit the website of or contact your local Democratic organization.
King County Charter Amendment 1
Endorsements – Yes (King County)
King County Charter Amendment 2
Endorsements – Yes (King County)
King County Charter Amendment 3
Endorsements – No (King County)
King County Proposition 1
Endorsements – Yes (11th LD and 45th LD)
Seattle School District Supplemental Levy
Endorsements – Yes (King County)
No (11th LD)