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As of 5 p.m., Friday Nov. 8, an initiative restricting state and local government from banning natural gas appeared likely to pass. Approval on Initiative 2066 sat around 51.43% and 48.57% opposing with an estimated 398,000 ballots left to be counted across the state.
The three other statewide initiatives, I-2109, I-2124 and I-2117, remained on track to be rejected, according to the latest batch of results.
Additionally, Whatcom County voters overwhelmingly accepted an amendment to the county charter to ban elected county officials from holding other public offices during their term. The amendment is set to pass with 84.23% of voters in favor of the change, as of 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, with 137,000 ballots counted and 345 ballots to be counted.
The four statewide initiatives were sponsored by political action committee Let’s Go Washington, which is backed by millionaire Brian Haywood. Let’s Go Washington targeted the state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA), the long-term care program insurance, the capital gains tax and access to natural gas.
Opponents argued passage of the initiatives would strip funding from education, health care and infrastructure, and jeopardize the state’s transition to green energy.
With the natural gas ban initiative seemingly passing, opponents said they would challenge the measure in court because of the belief it violates the single subject clause, according to KUOW.
Three of the initiatives involving the CCA, the long-term care program insurance and capital gains tax, are failing based on preliminary statewide results with over 2.7 million ballots counted as of Tuesday evening.
I-2109 was an attempt to repeal the 7% tax on annual capital gains of over $262,000 for individuals, as of 2023. Voters have rejected the measure 63.88% to 36.12%.
Initiative I-2124 would make it optional for workers to pay into WA Cares, a statewide insurance program that allows Washingtonians to earn a long-term care benefit that could be used on expenses related to caretaking, medical equipment or meals. Voters are set to reject the measure 55.39% to 44.61% with preliminary results.
Finally, Initiative 2117 attempted to repeal the Climate Commitment Act. The program provides funds to grow the economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the same time. Heywood blamed the cap-and-invest program — in which the sale of allowances or pollution permits at state auctions goes to a wide range of climate-related investments — for high gas prices in the state. The measure is set to be rejected 62.02% to 37.98%, according to Thursday’s results.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
