For the first time in several years, Washington voters will see initiatives listed on their ballots, and the way they are written will look a little different than how they were in the past.
This November, four initiatives will be up for a vote.
Per usual, each initiative on the ballot will include a short description, aimed at giving voters a summary of what the initiative entails.
New, however, is the requirement for each initiatives to have a public investment impact disclosure on the ballot, which is a description of no more than 15 words explaining the budget impact the measure would have if adopted.
Ballot titles are meant to synthesize complex and lengthy initiatives. The language can sometimes be confusing to understand.
“Ballot titles are not written using plain language. They’re written using those legal terms to be absolutely accurate. And that creates this dynamic of confusion,” said Stuart Holmes, Director of Elections at the Secretary of State’s Office.
Once the final draft of an initiative is complete, it is sent to the Attorney General who, in five days, must return the ballot title and summary.
The AG must follow specific guidelines when writing the title and summary, including having a description that is “true and impartial.”
“It’s a very judicial process, if you will. So, the ballot title can be challenged in court, so the sponsor and others can challenge it. So, it goes through a judicial process, if necessary, in order to correct or adjust any of that language,” said Holmes.
Some of the implications that came with the requirement of having public investment impact disclosure has raised concerns for those supporting the for initiatives.
“Now, these new changes in legislative laws under the state of Washington that we’re now starting to see… it’s raising those questions, and the legislature may decide next session or in a follow up session to take on these questions and refine that process,” said Holmes.
The Secretary of State’s Office suggests voters using a voter pamphlet and their website to help make sense of the sometimes complicated language for initiatives on the ballot.
In the pamphlet, voters can educate themselves and read both pro and con statements for each initiative.
To find a 2024 WA Voter Pamphlet for your area, visit sos.wa.gov/elections/voters/2024
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