This year’s election ballots included four statewide initiatives. One expert says that to several voters, the verbiage wasn’t too clear, which may have influenced how they voted.
The ballots had four statewide initiatives:
1. Initiative 2066, which aimed to repeal regulations on natural gas.
2. Initiative 2124, which aimed to give people the ability to opt out of a state long-term health care program.
3. Initiative 2109, which aimed to repeal a state capital gains tax charged on sales of certain long-term assets.
4. Initiative 2177, which aimed to repeal the 2021 Washington Climate Commitment Act (CCA).
A number of voters told KIRO 7 News that some of the verbiage confused them.
“A critical thing with referendums is how they’re worded,” said Christopher Adolph, a UW political science professor, with more than 25 years of experience in the field.
Adolph told KIRO 7 News that a couple of the initiatives, 2109 and 2117, were clear as they showed the impact on voters.
“Listed clear tradeoffs that people faced. If you cut the capital gains tax, there will be less spending for education. If you eliminate the carbon tax credit mark hit and cap and invest scheme, there will be less spending for the environment,” he said.