Laws governing the initiative process in Washington

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Citizens of Washington may initiate legislation as either a direct or indirect state statute. In Washington, citizens also have the power to repeal legislation via veto referendum. Citizens may not initiate constitutional amendments. The Washington State Legislature, however, may place legislatively referred constitutional amendments on the ballot with a two-thirds majority vote of each chamber.

Crafting an initiative

Of the 24 states that allow citizens to initiate legislation through the petition process, several states have adopted restrictions and regulations that limit the scope and content of proposed initiatives. These regulations may include laws that mandate that initiatives address only one topic, restrict the range of acceptable topics for proposed laws, prohibit unfunded mandates and establish guidelines for adjudicating contradictory measures.

Single-subject rule

See also: Single-subject rule

Washington has a single-subject rule for ballot measures. The relevant law restricts bills in the legislature. However, this restriction has been found to apply to initiatives as well. Key legal decisions to this effect are listed below.

See law: Washington Constitution, Article II, Section 19 ; Fritz v. Gorton (1974) ; Washington Fed. of State Emp. v. State (1995) and Amalgamated Transit v. State (2000)

Subject restrictions

See also: Subject restrictions (ballot measures)

Any initiated measure that would authorize gambling or a lottery requires a 60 percent supermajority in Washington.

See law: Washington Constitution, Article II, Section 24

Veto referendums on emergency legislation

In Washington, veto referendums cannot be used on emergency legislation.

See law: Washington State Constitution, Article II, Section 1

Competing initiatives

See also: Superseding initiative; "Poison pills"; List of Washington ballot measures

In Washington, competing measures are arranged on the ballot so voters can express two separate preferences. First, voters choose between either measure or neither measure. Second, voters choose between one measure and the other. If a majority prefer neither, both measures fail. If a majority prefer either, then the second vote determines which measure will be approved.

When an indirect initiative measure has been rejected by the legislature, pushing it onto the ballot, lawmakers may submit an alternative competing measure to voters.

See law: Washington Constitution, Article II, Section 1

Starting a petition

Each initiative and referendum state employs a different procedure for filing petition applications. Some states require preliminary signatures while others do not. In addition, several states review each proposed statute, verifying that the law conforms to the style and conventions of state law and recommending alterations to initiative proponents. Some of these states also review the law for more substantive considerations of content and consistency. Also, many states conduct a review of the ballot title and summary, and several states employ a fiscal review process which analyzes proposed laws to determine their impact on state finances.

Applying to petition

See also: Approved for circulation

Prior to collecting signatures, one sponsor (acting individually or for a group) must file a copy of the proposed statute with the Washington secretary of state. The sponsor must also file an affidavit certifying that he or she is a legal Washington voter. There is a nominal fee for this filing.

See law: Revised Code of Washington, Title 29A, Chapter 72, Section 010

Proposal review/approval

See also: Approved for circulation

Once the measure is submitted, the secretary sends a copy to the Office of the Code Reviser. The office reviews the measure and recommends changes to the initiative sponsor. These recommendations are advisory and do not oblige the sponsor to make any revisions.

Once the review is complete, the office issues the sponsor a certificate of review. The sponsor must then refile the measure and certificate with the secretary of state who then assigns the petition a number (e.g. Initiative Measure No. 1183 or Initiative Measure No. 1163).

See law: Revised Code of Washington, Title 29A, Chapter 72, Section 020 and Section 040

Petition summary

See also: Starting a petition

After the secretary has assigned the initiative a number, he or she transmits a copy to the Washington attorney general. The attorney general drafts a ballot title consisting of three parts--a short statement of the measure's subject, a concise description, and a question asking whether the measure should be adopted. In addition, the attorney general drafts a longer, 75-word statement impartially summarizing the measure. Only the full text of the proposed statute is required on the petition form, but the ballot title or summary may be included.

• An example of the ballot language can be found here.

See law: Revised Code of Washington, Title 29A, Chapter 72, Section 040 ; Section 050 ; Section 060 and Section 100

Collecting signatures

Each initiative and referendum state employs a unique method of calculating the state's signature requirements. Some states mandate a certain fraction of registered voters while others base their calculation on those who actually voted in a preceding election. In addition, many states employ a distribution requirement, dictating where in the state these signatures must be collected. Beyond these overarching requirements, many states regulate the manner in which signatures may be collected and the timeline for collecting them.

Number required

See also: Washington signature requirements

In Washington, the signature requirement for citizen initiatives is based on the total number of votes cast for the office of governor at the last regular gubernatorial election. Initiatives to the People require signatures equal to eight (8) percent of the votes cast for the office of governor in the last election. Initiatives to the Legislature also require signatures equal to eight (8) percent of the votes cast for the office of governor in the last election. Veto referendum petitions require signatures equal to four (4) percent of the votes cast for the office of governor.

The signature requirement for Initiatives to the Legislature lags behind by one year. For example, based on the gubernatorial election of 2020, the signature requirement for Initiatives to the People and veto referendums changed for 2021 while the requirements for Initiatives to the Legislature remained unchanged until 2022.

The chart below shows election years and the signature requirement for initiatives designed to appear on the ballot in that year, with gubernatorial election years bolded.

Year	Initiative to the People	Initiative to the Legislature	Veto referendum
2024	324,516	324,516	162,258
2023	324,516	324,516	162,258
2022	324,516	324,516	162,258
2021	324,516	259,622	162,258
2020	259,622	259,622	129,811
2019	259,622	259,622	129,811
2018	259,622	259,622	129,811
2017	259,622	246,372	129,811
2016	246,372	246,372	123,186
2015	246,372	246,372	123,186
2014	246,372	246,372	123,186
2013	246,372	240,229	123,186
2012	240,229	240,229	120,114
2011	240,229	240,229	120,114
2010	240,229	240,229	120,114
2009	240,229	224,880	120,114
2008	224,880	224,880	112,440

Distribution requirements

See also: Distribution requirements

Washington does not have a distribution requirement for petition signatures.

See law: Washington Constitution, Article II, Section 1

Restrictions on circulators

Circulator requirements

See also: Petition circulator

In Washington, no law could be found preventing a circulator from signing his own petition. Each initiative petition has a circulator affidavit in the form of a state statute-mandated declaration. But, according to the secretary of state, an opinion published by the attorney general in 2006 allows the secretary of state to either accept or reject petitions that do not have signed declarations attached. A circulator is not required to sign any affidavit or declaration before a notary public nor is he/she required to swear and sign under the penalty of a law a statement that he/she personally witnessed every act of signing the petition. Once collection is complete, the signatures are submitted to the secretary of state.

See law: RCW Sec. 29A.72.150 and AGO 2006 No. 13

Pay-per-signature

See also: Pay-per-signature

Washington allows paying signature gatherers based on the number of signatures collected.

Washington had a ban but the law was struck down in LIMIT v. Maleng in 1994.

See law: Revised Code of Washington, Title 29A, Chapter 84, Section 250 (Formerly, 29.79.490) & LIMIT v. Maleng

Out-of-state circulators

See also: Residency requirements for petition circulators

Washington does not require signature gatherers to be residents of the state.

See law: Revised Code of Washington, Title 29A, Chapter 72

Badge requirements

See also: Badge requirements

Washington law does not require a circulator's paid/volunteer status to be disclosed during circulation.

See law: Revised Code of Washington, Title 29A, Chapter 72

Electronic signatures

See also: Electronic petition signatures

Since electronic signatures are an emerging technology, the constitutionality of bans on e-signatures and the legality of e-signatures in states without bans is largely untested. Washington does mandate that petitions be printed on "paper of good writing quality."

See law: Revised Code of Washington, Title 29A, Chapter 72, Section 100

Deadlines for collection

See also: Petition drive deadlines; Initiative petition circulation periods

In Washington, initial filings for direct initiatives cannot be made more than 10 months before the general election at which their proposal would be presented to voters. Initial filings for indirect initiatives cannot be made more than 10 months before the regular session at which their proposal would be presented to lawmakers.

Signatures for direct initiatives are due at least four months prior to the general election. Signatures for indirect initiatives are due at least 10 days prior to the beginning of the legislative session in the year of the targeted election.

Signatures for veto referendums must be submitted 90 days following the adjournment of the legislative session at which the targeted bill was passed.

See law: Revised Code of Washington, Title 29A, Chapter 72, Section 030 and Section 160

Getting on the ballot

Once signatures have been collected, state officials must verify that requirements are met and that fraudulent signatures are excluded. States generally employ a random sample process or a full verification of signatures. After verification, the issue must be prepared for the ballot. This often involves preparing a fiscal review and ballot summary.

Signature verification

See also: Signature certification

Once the signatures have been gathered and filed, the secretary of state verifies the signatures using a random sample method. If the sample indicates that the measure has sufficient signatures, the measure is certified for the ballot. However, if the sample indicates that the measure has insufficient signatures, every signature is checked. Under Washington law, a random sample result may not invalidate a petition. However, the secretary of state is not required to review any petition that "clearly bears insufficient signatures."

Observers representing proponents and opponents of the measure may be present to watch the verification process.

See law: Revised Code of Washington, Title 29A, Chapter 72, Section 170

Ballot title and summary

See also: Ballot title

In Washington, the ballot includes the ballot title and the initiative's serial number. These are designated shortly after the initial filing. After a measure has been certified for the ballot, it also receives a section in the state's voters' pamphlet with arguments for and against the initiative.

• An example of a sample ballot can be found here.

See law: Revised Code of Washington, Title 29A, Chapter 72, Section 050 and Section 290 and Chapter 32, Section 060

Fiscal review

See also: Fiscal impact statement

Once a measure has been certified for the ballot, the Office of Financial Management drafts a fiscal impact statement describing the "projected increase or decrease in revenues, costs, expenditures, or indebtedness" created by the measure. It is made available online and in the state's voter pamphlet.

See law: Revised Code of Washington, Title 29A, Chapter 72, Section 025

The election and beyond

Ballot measures face additional challenges beyond qualifying for the ballot and receiving a majority of the vote. Several states require ballot measures to get more than a simple majority. While some states mandate a three-fifths supermajority, other states set the margin differently. In addition, ballot measures may face legal challenges or modifications by legislators. If a ballot measure does fail, some states limit how soon that initiative can be re-attempted.

Supermajority requirements

See also: Supermajority requirements

In Washington, any initiated measure that would authorize gambling or a lottery requires a 60 percent supermajority vote. Other measures require only a simple majority vote. Regardless, for any ballot measure to be approved, at least one third of the voters voting in the election must cast a vote on the measure. For example, if 100,000 electors cast votes in an election, but fewer than 33,000 voted on the measure in question, the measure would not be approved even if all 33,000 votes were "yes" votes.

See law: Washington Constitution, Article II, Section 1 (d) and Section 24

Effective date

Washington ballot measures generally take effect 30 days after the election. The official canvass of the vote must also be certified to the governor by this date. Initiated measures may specify an alternative effective date.

See law: Washington Constitution, Article II, Section 1 (d) and Section 24

Litigation

See also: Ballot measure lawsuit news

Within five days of the filing of a ballot title or summary with the secretary of state, any person may challenge the ballot title or summary. Similarly, within five days of the determination of sufficiency for signature petitions, any citizen may challenge the signature count. Moreover, if the secretary of state refuses to perform a signature count and rules the petition insufficient, the persons filing the measure may challenge the decision within 10 days. All of these challenges should be filed in the Thurston County Superior Court. The decisions of this court may be appealed to the Washington supreme court.

See law: Revised Code of Washington, Title 29A, Chapter 72, Section 080 ; Section 180 ; Section 190 and Section 240

Legislative alteration

See also: Legislative alteration

In Washington, no initiated statute may be amended or repealed for two years without a two-thirds (66.67%) vote in both chambers. Any initiated law, so amended, is not subject to veto referendum. After two years, the law may be repealed or amended by a simple majority vote of the legislature.

See law: Washington Constitution, Article II, Section 1

Re-attempting an initiative

Washington does not limit how soon an initiative can be re-attempted. For example, after the defeat of Initiative 1100 in 2010, the measure was revised and reintroduced as Initiative 1183 in 2011, and it was approved.

See law: Washington Constitution, Article II, Section 1

Funding an initiative campaign

See also: Campaign finance requirements for Washington ballot measures

Some of the notable features of Washington State's campaign finance laws include:

• Washington law treats groups in support or opposition of a ballot question the same as other political committees on most matters except campaign disclosure.
• Washington uses a frequent reporting system for filing disclosure reports in which most reports are due on a monthly basis.
• Washington law limits any person or other committee to donating a maximum of $5,000 in the last 21 days of the election. State party organizations are exempt.
• Washington State requires electronic reporting of all campaign finance disclosure.
• Washington requires any political committee to list the names of its five largest contributors on broadcasted or written advertisements that support or oppose a ballot measure when the cumulative value of the advertisements is at least $1,000.

State initiative law

Article II of the Washington Constitution address initiatives.

• Article II, Washington State Constitution

Chapter 72, Title 29A of the Washington Codified Laws govern initiatives.

• Revised Code of Washington, Title 29A, Chapter 72

External links

• Washington Secretary of State, "Election and Voting, General Information"
• Washington Secretary of State, "Initiative and Referendum History and Statistics"
• Washington Secretary of State, "Filing Initiatives and Referenda in Washington," (Initiative handbook)
• Washington Secretary of State, "FAQ About Circulating Initiative and Referendum Petitions"
• Washington Secretary of State, "Filing an Initiative" (Make initial filing online)

Changes in the law

The following laws have been proposed that modify ballot measure law in Washington. If a box is empty for any given year, it means Ballotpedia did not track any ballot measure or recall-related laws in that year.

Proposed changes by year

2022

See also: Changes in 2022 to laws governing ballot measures

House Bill 1876: The legislation required public investment impact disclosure statements to appear on the ballot for ballot measures that would repeal, levy, or modify a tax or fee or has a fiscal impact that would cause a net change in state revenue. The bill provided that a public investment impact disclosure statement must appear in the following format — "This measure would (increase or decrease) funding for (description of services)."

2021

See also: Changes in 2021 to laws governing ballot measures

2020

See also: Changes in 2020 to laws governing ballot measures

2019

See also: Changes in 2019 to laws governing ballot measures

2018

See also: Changes in 2018 to laws governing ballot measures

2017

See also: Changes in 2017 to laws governing ballot measures

See also: Laws governing ballot measures in Washington Washington Senate Bill 5386 was designed to do the following: require the submission of a statement of the intent of the measure with the initial filing of the initiative text; require the office of the code reviser and the office of the attorney general to offer advisory feedback to initiative proponents both as to the form and clarity of the language and the constitutionality of the initiative; establish a public review period for initiatives and provide for a process by which initiative proponents may amend initiatives; allow any person to file a judicial request to invalidate the measure based on allegations that it is unconstitutional; and require a filing fee of $500 for each initiative Washington House Bill 1537 was designed to do the following: require any group that hires or plans to hire paid circulators to disclose information to the state about itself and any paid petition circulators; prohibit a group to pay hire someone as a signature gatherer based on certain conditions such as those convicted of crimes related to elections, signature petitions, fraud, and forgery; require a statement to be included on all petition forms and signed by all signature gatherers promising to not offer anything of value in exchange for signatures and acknowledging the that forgery on a petition is a class B felony and that offering anything in exchange for signatures is a gross misdemeanor. Washington Senate Bill 5397 was designed to do the following: require any group that hires or plans to hire paid circulators to disclose information to the state about itself and any paid petition circulators; prohibit a group to pay hire someone as a signature gatherer based on certain conditions such as those convicted of crimes related to elections, signature petitions, fraud, and forgery; require a statement to be included on all petition forms and signed by all signature gatherers promising to not offer anything of value in exchange for signatures and acknowledging the that forgery on a petition is a class B felony and that offering anything in exchange for signatures is a gross misdemeanor. Washington House Bill 1981 was designed to require the office of financial management to prepare a revenue equity statement that "must describe the projections for how the ballot measure would affect any projected increase or decrease in the average effective tax rate imposed directly or indirectly on Washington residents" for any ballot measure that that would have a certain tax impact on family income Washington House Bill 1807 was designed to require additional campaign finance reporting requirements. Washington Senate Bill 5219 was designed to require additional campaign finance reporting requirements. Washington House Bill 2083 was designed to change the allowed special election dates, which would affect the dates on which certain ballot measures could be presented to voters.

2016

See also: Changes in 2016 to laws governing ballot measures

See also: Laws governing ballot measures in Washington d Washington Senate Bill 6139: "Concerning electronic signatures for initiative and referendum petitions." d Washington House Bill 1438: "Permitting cities, towns, and counties to prohibit the production, processing, and sale of marijuana under Initiative Measure No. 502 only by public vote." d Washington House Bill 1941: "Providing for a simple majority of voters voting to authorize school district bonds at general elections." Without this bill, a three-fifths supermajority would continue to be required at all elections. Under this bill, a three-fifths supermajority would still be required to approve bond issues at special elections. d Washington House Bill 1942: "Relating to ballot measures regarding required information and filing fees." d Washington House Joint Resolution 4204: Is a companion bill in the House to Senate Joint Resolution 8201 above. The resolution would propose a constitutional amendment that would require future initiatives having to do with state expenditures or state revenues to not upset the budget of the state. In other words, under the amendment, initiatives would have to propose ways to pay for themselves. If the resolution is approved by a two-thirds (66.67%) vote in the legislature, it would go to the voters, where a simple majority would be required to pass the amendment. d Washington House Bill 1364: "Establishing a citizens' initiative review pilot program." d Washington Senate Bill 5535: "Establishing a citizens' initiative review pilot program." d Washington House Bill 1412: "Concerning municipalities prohibiting the operation of recreational marijuana production, processing, and retail facilities within their jurisdictional boundaries." d Washington House Bill 1228: "Requiring fiscal impact statements for ballot measures." d Washington House Bill 1229: Would require a fiscal impact statement for initiatives and dictate where and when the statement must be displayed. d Washington Senate Bill 5715: "Including the contents of fiscal impact statements in the ballot title for certain initiative measures." d Washington Senate Bill 5528: Would establish that "a political committee may not receive seventy percent or more of its aggregate funds from another political committee, directly or through any combination of other political committees." d Washington Senate Bill 5153: "Increasing transparency of campaign contributions." The bill would define "incidental committees" as any person or organization that, while not being registered directly in support of or opposition to a candidate or ballot measure, might incidentally contribute to a candidate or ballot measure either directly or through another organization or committee. The bill would also require such "incidental committees" to file with the appropriate state commission if they expect to or actually make contributions and expenditures of more than $25,000 for statewide campaigns and $5,000 for any other campaigns. d Washington House Bill 1175: Would make it a class C felony to deliberately make a contribution or expenditure that requires disclosure according to state law "in such a way as to conceal the identity of the source of the contribution." d Washington House Bill 1323: "Repealing advisory votes." d Washington Senate Bill 5375: "Requiring disclosure by entities that compensate for petition signatures." d Washington House Bill 1463: "Requiring disclosure by entities that compensate for petition signatures."

2015

See also: Changes in 2015 to laws governing ballot measures

See also: Laws governing ballot measures in Washington House Bill 1941: "Providing for a simple majority of voters voting to authorize school district bonds at general elections." Without this bill, a three fifths supermajority would continue to be required at all elections. Under this bill, a three fifths supermajority would still be required to approve bond issues at special elections. House Bill 1942: "Relating to ballot measures regarding required information and filing fees." a(Vetoed) House Bill 2055: "Concerning statements on ballot measures in voters' pamphlets." The governor partially vetoed this bill. For details see here. d Senate Joint Resolution 8201: Would have proposed a constitutional amendment designed to require future initiatives having to do with state expenditures or state revenues to not upset the budget of the state. In other words, under the amendment, initiatives would have had to propose ways to pay for themselves. If the resolution had been approved by a two-thirds (66.67%) vote in the legislature, it would have gone to the voters, where a simple majority would have been required to pass the amendment. This bill was abandoned in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. House Joint Resolution 4204: Is a companion bill in the House to Senate Joint Resolution 8201 above. The resolution would propose a constitutional amendment that would require future initiatives having to do with state expenditures or state revenues to not upset the budget of the state. In other words, under the amendment, initiatives would have to propose ways to pay for themselves. If the resolution is approved by a two-thirds (66.67%) vote in the legislature, it would go to the voters, where a simple majority would be required to pass the amendment. House Bill 1364: "Establishing a citizens' initiative review pilot program." Senate Bill 5535: "Establishing a citizens' initiative review pilot program." House Bill 1438: "Permitting cities, towns, and counties to prohibit the production, processing, and sale of marijuana under Initiative Measure No. 502 only by public vote." House Bill 1412: "Concerning municipalities prohibiting the operation of recreational marijuana production, processing, and retail facilities within their jurisdictional boundaries." House Bill 1228: "Requiring fiscal impact statements for ballot measures." House Bill 1229: Would require a fiscal impact statement for initiatives and dictate where and when the statement must be displayed. Senate Bill 5715: "Including the contents of fiscal impact statements in the ballot title for certain initiative measures." Senate Bill 5528: Would establish that "a political committee may not receive seventy percent or more of its aggregate funds from another political committee, directly or through any combination of other political committees." Senate Bill 5153: "Increasing transparency of campaign contributions." The bill would define "incidental committees" as any person or organization that, while not being registered directly in support of or opposition to a candidate or ballot measure, might incidentally contribute to a candidate or ballot measure either directly or through another organization or committee. The bill would also require such "incidental committees" to file with the appropriate state commission if they expect to or actually make contributions and expenditures of more than $25,000 for statewide campaigns and $5,000 for any other campaigns. House Bill 1175: Would make it a class C felony to deliberately make a contribution or expenditure that requires disclosure according to state law "in such a way as to conceal the identity of the source of the contribution." House Bill 1323: "Repealing advisory votes." Senate Bill 5375: "Requiring disclosure by entities that compensate for petition signatures." House Bill 1463: "Requiring disclosure by entities that compensate for petition signatures."

2014

See also: Changes in 2014 to laws governing ballot measures

The following bills were introduced in the Washington State Legislature: d HB 1211: Concerns primary election voters' pamphlets. d HB 1720: Increases transparency of donors to candidates and ballot measures. d HB 1966: Permits electronic submission of application to circulate initiative petition. d HB 2033: Reduces the costs and inefficiencies in elections by eliminating a requirement to include the full text of ballot measures in the printed version of voters' pamphlets. d HB 2066: Reduces the costs and inefficiencies in elections by eliminating a requirement to include the full text of ballot measures in the printed version of voters' pamphlets. d SB 5347: Declares that any state or local initiative for which sufficient valid voter signatures are submitted within the time period required must be submitted to a vote of the people at the next election date. d SB 5499: Changes deadline for filing initiative petitions from ten to twenty months before the election. d SB 5505: Concerning individual voter signatures on a petition, the secretary of state must accept and must not reject a valid voter signature if it matches the signature on the voter's registration as long as the requirements in existing law are met. d SB 5676: Protects personal voter signatures. d HB 2552: Requires paid signatures to register with the state; prohibits a paid circulator from collecting signatures for another measure as a volunteer; requires re-registration of paid circulators at certain times and boost the information required on registration forms for paid circulators. d HB 1595: Establishes certain requirements for local initiative and referendum processes not controlled by a home-rule charter. Authorizes county governments not governed by a home-rule charter to establish procedures for the initiative and referendum power not controlled by state law.

2013

See also: Changes in 2013 to laws governing ballot measures

The following bills were introduced in the Washington State Legislature: HB 1211: Concerns primary election voters' pamphlets. HB 1720: Increases transparency of donors to candidates and ballot measures. HB 1966: Permits electronic submission of application to circulate initiative petition. HB 2033: Reduces the costs and inefficiencies in elections by eliminating a requirement to include the full text of ballot measures in the printed version of voters' pamphlets. HB 2066: Reduces the costs and inefficiencies in elections by eliminating a requirement to include the full text of ballot measures in the printed version of voters' pamphlets. a SB 5258: Provides that a political committee must list the names of its five largest contributors on broadcasted or written advertisements that support or oppose a ballot measure when the cumulative value of the advertisements is at least a specified amount; exempts yard signs, and other forms of advertising where identification is impractical, such as campaign buttons, balloons, pens, pencils, skywriting and inscriptions. SB 5347: Declares that any state or local initiative for which sufficient valid voter signatures are submitted within the time period required must be submitted to a vote of the people at the next election date. SB 5499: Changes deadline for filing initiative petitions from ten to twenty months before the election. SB 5505: Concerning individual voter signatures on a petition, the secretary of state must accept and must not reject a valid voter signature if it matches the signature on the voter's registration as long as the requirements in existing law are met. a SB 5507: Increases transparency of donors to candidates and ballot measures. SB 5676: Protects personal voter signatures.

2012

See also: Changes in 2012 to laws governing ballot measures

The following bills were introduced in the Washington State Legislature: a HB 2499: Bill description/summary: "Requires political advertising costing one thousand dollars or more, supporting or opposing ballot measures sponsored by a political committee, to include certain information on the top five contributors." d HJR 4224: Bill description/summary: "Amends the Constitution to require the Secretary of State to reject any initiative for the ballot that will result in an increase in costs or expenditures of the state or local governments in excess of $5 million unless the initiative also specifies a tax increase or new tax to offset that increase." d SJR 8218: Requires initiatives to specify a funding source sufficient to cover any expenditures they require. Requires a fiscal impact statement for initiated measures.

2011

See also: Changes in 2011 to laws governing ballot measures

The following bills were introduced in the Washington State Legislature: Washington House Bill 1158: HB 1158 would require additional fiscal impact information to be included in levy ballot language. Washington House Bill 1584: Bill description/summary: "Prohibits signature gatherers for initiative or referendum petitions from being within fifteen feet of entrances and exits of certain stand alone or retail stores, unless authorized by the property owner." Washington House Bill 1668: Bill description/summary: "Increases the initiative filing fee." Washington House Bill 1888: Bill description/summary: "Requires the office of financial management, for each voters' pamphlet prepared for the general election, to provide information about how Washington municipal governments, state government, and the federal government receive their income, how they distribute it, and how the tax structure works." Washington House Bill 1987: Bill description/summary: "Provides sufficient flexibility to county auditors to accept ballots where misspellings are present, yet the registered voter is clearly the same person." Washington Senate Bill 5216: Bill description/summary: "Provides for the administrative costs involved in the initiative process by increasing the initiative filing fee." Washington Senate Bill 5297: Bill description/summary: "Regulates signature gathering businesses. Provides that the initiative filing fee will be set by the secretary of state. Requires certain information from signature gatherers and additional information from petitioners on petitions. Authorizes the secretary of state to establish an electronic system for a legal voter to pay a filing fee, file a proposed measure, and provide sufficient information in lieu of an affidavit to establish that he or she is a legal voter in the state." Washington Senate Bill 5832: Bill description/summary: "Requires the office of financial management, for each voters' pamphlet prepared for the general election, to provide information about how Washington municipal governments, state government, and the federal government receive their income, how they distribute it, and how the tax structure works."

2010

See also: Changes in 2010 to laws governing ballot measures

No proposed changes were identified in 2010.