Evan Smith on Politics: Eyman claims seven victories in November election

By Evan Smith

Tim Eyman’s initiative to protect initiatives lost overwhelmingly in the Nov. 5 election, but Eyman claims seven victories on that ballot.

I-517 lost by a 63 percent to 37 percent margin, but Eyman counts it as one of his victories.

Eyman said two days after the election that the initiative was a victory because it had forced discussion on the initiative-gathering process.

I-517 would have extended the time allowed for gathering signatures, extended protection for signature gatherers and guaranteed that local initiatives and referenda that get enough signatures get a place on the ballot.

Eyman said that having two initiatives and five advisory votes on the ballot gave voters a chance to discuss the issues and express their opinions.

He noted that editorials and letters on I-517 showed that some of its policies had strong support while other policies didn’t.

Eyman said that I-522 on labeling genetically modified food also gave voters a chance to discuss and decide an interesting issue, The initiative lost by a 51 percent to 49 percent margin.

Eynan said that the five tax advisory votes put a spotlight on five tax increases passed by this year's legislature. He added that, when it came time to vote, voters supported some of them and opposed others.

“That shows the people thought about each one,” he said. “Maybe most importantly, the 2014 legislature knows the voters will learn about any future tax increases.  It was a victory to discuss, debate, and vote on those five tax advisory votes.

“We know a lot more about the people's views than we would have if not for those seven measures being put to a vote.”

Eyman sponsored the initiative that created the advisory votes.