Remember to Vote!

The election is November 2nd and the ballot is massive.  There’s a dizzying array of items but the impact of the results will be dramatic.  Please vote ASAP if you haven’t already.  I copied most of this from the State website (which is why it’s not including all the local info) but you can get your own personalized voting info (including the voter’s pamphlet) on the state’s website using MyVote. (http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/OSOS/VoterVault/Pages/MyVote.aspx)

Ballot measures:

• I-1053 would restate existing statutory requirements that legislative actions raising taxes must be approved by two-thirds legislative majorities or receive voter approval.
• I-1082 would authorize employers to purchase private industrial insurance beginning July 1, 2012.
• I-1098 would tax “adjusted gross income” above $200,000 (individuals) and $400,000 (joint-filers), reduce state property tax levies, reduce certain business and occupation taxes, and direct any increased revenues to education and health.
• I-1100 would close state liquor stores; authorize sale, distribution, and importation of spirits by private parties;
• I-1105, the second liquor privatization proposal, would close all state liquor stores and license private parties to sell or distribute spirits.
• I-1107 would end sales tax on candy; end temporary sales tax on some bottled water; end temporary excise taxes on carbonated beverages; and reduce tax rates for certain food processors.
• Referendum 52 would authorize bonds to finance construction and repair projects increasing energy effciency in public schools and higher education buildings, and continue the sales tax on bottled water otherwise expiring in 2013.
• House Joint Resolution 4220 would authorize courts to deny bail for offenses punishable by the possibility of life in prison, on clear and convincing evidence of a propensity for violence that would likely endanger persons.
• Senate Joint Resolution 8225 would require the state to reduce the interest accounted for in calculating the constitutional debt limit, by the amount of federal payments scheduled to be received to offset that interest.

Key races:

• U.S. Senate
• All nine congressional races
• All 98 state House races and 25 state Senate races
• Three state Supreme Court races
• Many local races and propositions

Some of the more local items:

• Sales and Use Tax for Criminal Justice, Fire Protection, and Other Government Purposes
• Seattle School District No. 1 Supplemental Operations Levy