KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | Ballot measures top ticket in Washington election

Ballot measures top ticket in Washington election

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Two statewide ballot measures top the ticket Tuesday for Washington state voters.

I-1033... >>In full: Iniative 1033 >>Spokane Public Schools joins list of I-1033 opposition >>Council opposes initiative capping general fund growth

The focus of this year's off-year election is a referendum (Ref. 71) on expanded domestic partnership rights for gay and senior couples.

Voters also will decide an initiative (1033) to cap government revenue growth. Three state House races are on the ballot in Eastern Washington, and voters will also choose a new Seattle mayor and King County executive.

About 98 percent of the vote is being cast by mail. Pierce County is the only county that still has some polling places.

Mail ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, or dropped off at a designated site.

Secretary of State Sam Reed expects 51 percent of Washington's 3.5 million voters to take part in Tuesday's election.

Spokane 'bill of rights' makes it to November ballot

(September 3, 2009)

As the November election nears, signs are popping up around the area for and against ballot measures and none, perhaps, more visible than Proposition 4.

Proposition 4... >>Visist 'Save Our Spokane' to learn more about efforts to defeat 'Envision Spokane' >>Read the 'bill of rights' and learn more about Envision Spokane

A few months ago, in front of Spokane City Hall, people gathered to protest 'Envision Spokane,' a grassroots effort to create a 'bill of rights' for Spokane citizens. Despite the protest, the Spokane City Council voted 5 to 2 to put the issue - Proposition 4 - on the November ballot and now, the decision will be left up to you.

Even before the issue made the ballot, 'Proposition 4' has stirred up controversy with supporters on both sides of the issue.

Supporters say the 'bill of rights' makes Spokane healthy, democratic and sustainable - an extension of the City's comprehensive plan passed by the City Council.

Opponents say it is vague and against democracy.

The group 'Save Our Spokane,' has said that all of these proposed rights would create a nightmare of legal fees for the City tying up courtrooms and diminishing other services to balance out the additional costs.