Sample ballot - Part 1 State Ballot Measures, State Advisory Votes

November Sample Ballot

State Ballot Measures

Initiative Measure 1185

Concerns tax and fee increases imposed by state government

This measure would restate existing statutory requirements that legislative actions raising taxes must be approved by two-thirds legislative majorities or receive voter approval, and that new or increased fees require majority legislative approval.

Should this measure be enacted into law?

Yes 
[  ] 

No
  [  ] 

Initiative Measure 124

Concerns creation of a public charter school system

This measure would authorize up to forty publicly-funded charter schools open to all students, operated through approved, nonreligious, nonprofit organizations, with government oversight; and modify certain laws applicable to them as public schools.

Should this measure be enacted into law?

Yes 
[  ] 

No
  [  ] 

Referendum Measure 74

Concerns marriage for same-sex couples

The legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6239 concerning marriage for same-sex couples, modified domestic-partnership law, and religious freedom, and voters have filed a sufficient referendum petition on this bill.

This bill would allow same-sex couples to marry, preserve domestic partnerships only for seniors, and preserve the right of clergy or religious organizations to refuse to perform, recognize, or accommodate any marriage ceremony.

Should this bill be:

Approved 
[  ]

Rejected
_ [  ]

Initiative to the Legislature 502

Concerns marijuana

This measure would license and regulate marijuana production, distribution, and possession for persons over twenty-one; remove state-law criminal and civil penalties for activities that it authorizes; tax marijuana sales; and earmark marijuana-related revenues.

Should this measure be enacted into law?

Yes
[ ]

No
 [ ]

Engrossed Senate Joint Resolution 8221

Concerns implementing the Commission on State Debt recommendations regarding Washington's debt limit

The Legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment on implementing the Commission on State Debt recommendations regarding Washington's debt limit.

This amendment would, starting July 1, 2014, phase-down the debt limit percentage in three steps from nine to eight percent and modify the calculation date, calculation period, and the term general state revenues.

Should this constitutional amendment be:

Approved 
[  ]

Rejected
_ [  ]

Senate Joint Resolution 8223

Concerns investments by the University of Washington and Washington State University

The Legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment on investments by the University of Washington and Washington State University.

This amendment would create an exception to constitutional restrictions on investing public funds by allowing these universities to invest specified public funds as authorized by the legislature, including in private companies or stock.

Should this constitutional amendment be:

Approved 
[  ]

Rejected
_ [  ]

State Advisory Votes

Advisory Vote 1 (Engrossed Senate Bill 6635)

Concerns a B&O tax deduction for certain financial institutions' interest on residential loans

The legislature eliminated, without a vote of the people, a business and occupation tax deduction for certain financial institutions’ interest on residential loans, costing $170,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending.

This tax increase should be:

Repealed 
_ [  ]

Maintained 
[  ]

Advisory Vote 2 (Substitute House Bill 2590)

Concerns expiration of a tax on possession of petroleum products

The legislature extended, without a vote of the people, expiration of a tax on possession of petroleum products and reduced the tax rate, costing $24,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending.

This tax increase should be:

Repealed 
_ [  ]

Maintained
 _[  ]