Washington Advisory Vote 20, Nonbinding Question on Tax to Fund Long-Term Healthcare Services (2019)
| Washington Advisory Vote 20 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 5, 2019 | |
| Topic Taxes and Healthcare | |
Status Defeated | |
| Type Advisory question | |
Washington Advisory Vote 20, a non-binding question concerning whether to maintain or repeal House Bill 1087, was on the ballot in Washington as an advisory question on November 5, 2019. A majority of voters voted in favor of repealing the bill.
| A maintain vote supported advising the legislature to maintain House Bill 1087, which was designed to levy 0.58% tax on wages to fund a program for long-term healthcare services. |
| A repeal vote supported advising the legislature to repeal House Bill 1087, which was designed to levy 0.58% tax on wages to fund a program for long-term healthcare services. |
Election results
- In the chart below, "yes" votes correspond to votes for maintaining the revenue-generating bill, and "no" votes correspond to votes for repealing it.
|
Washington Advisory Vote 20 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 683,870 | 37.08% | ||
|
|
1,160,463 | 62.92% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for the measure was as follows:[1]
| “ | The legislature imposed, without a vote of the people, an additional wage premium for long-term care services, costing an indeterminate amount in its first ten years, for government spending.
This tax increase should be: [] Repealed [] Maintained[2] |
” |
Ten-year cost projection
The following ten-year projection of House Bill 1087, which Advisory Vote 20 concerned, was as follows:[1]
| “ | Cash receipt assumptions would be based on variables for which the data is unavailable to the state. Variables include: the number of self-employed persons who will elect coverage; the number of individuals exempted from Unemployment Insurance who are not exempted from the premium; and the number of individuals who have long-term care insurance and may be exempted from the premium. Since cash receipts cannot be determined, the ten year analysis is "indeterminate.”[2] | ” |
Full text
The full text of House Bill 1087 is available here.
Readability score
- See also: Ballot measure readability scores, 2019
| Using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) formulas, Ballotpedia scored the readability of the ballot title and summary for this measure. Readability scores are designed to indicate the reading difficulty of text. The Flesch-Kincaid formulas account for the number of words, syllables, and sentences in a text; they do not account for the difficulty of the ideas in the text. The Washington Attorney General wrote the ballot language for this measure.
|
Campaign finance
| Total campaign contributions: | |
| Support: | $0.00 |
| Opposition: | $0.00 |
Ballotpedia did not identify any committees registered in support of or in opposition to the measure.
If you are aware of a committee registered to support or oppose this measure, please email editor@ballotpedia.org.
Background
Advisory votes
- See also: Advisory question
An advisory question is a type of ballot measure in which citizens vote on a non-binding question. The largest difference between an advisory vote and any other type of ballot measure is that the outcome of the ballot question will not result in a new, changed, or rejected law or constitutional amendment. Rather, the advisory question symbolically makes heard the general opinion of the voting population in regard to the issue at hand. In the case of Washington, advisory votes serve to advise the legislature whether or not to maintain or repeal a bill they passed.
History of advisory votes in Washington
Initiative 960, which was sponsored by Tim Eyman and approved by voters in 2007, requires statewide advisory questions whenever the legislature passes a bill that increases tax revenue.
Thirty-eight (38) advisory votes required by Initiative 960 have been on the statewide ballot in Washington from 2012 through 2021. A majority of voters were in favor of maintaining 10 of the tax increases. In the other 28 cases, a majority of voters were in favor of repealing the tax increases in question.
| Washington tax advisory votes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Measure | Topic | Maintain vote % | Repeal vote % | ||
| 2021 | Advisory Vote 38 | Tax on the premiums of captive insurers | 42.85% | 57.15% | ||
| 2021 | Advisory Vote 37 | Tax on capital gains above $250,000 to fund education and child services | 38.95% | 61.05% | ||
| 2021 | Advisory Vote 36 | Telephone tax to fund behavioral health and suicide prevention services | 46.11% | 53.89% | ||
| 2020 | Advisory Vote 35 | Business and occupation tax on commercial airplane manufacturers | 45.53% | 54.47% | ||
| 2020 | Advisory Vote 34 | Business and occupation tax and surcharge | 37.99% | 62.01% | ||
| 2020 | Advisory Vote 33 | Heavy equipment rental tax | 40.40% | 59.60% | ||
| 2020 | Advisory Vote 32 | Carryout bag tax | 38.77% | 61.23% | ||
| 2019 | Advisory Vote 31 | International investment management services tax | 56.75% | 43.25% | ||
| 2019 | Advisory Vote 30 | Tour operator/travel agent tax | 44.19% | 55.81% | ||
| 2019 | Advisory Vote 29 | Excise tax on real property | 35.20% | 64.80% | ||
| 2019 | Advisory Vote 28 | Nonresident sales tax exemption limits | 55.29% | 44.71% | ||
| 2019 | Advisory Vote 27 | Petroleum products tax | 39.22% | 60.78% | ||
| 2019 | Advisory Vote 26 | Online retail sales tax | 44.77% | 55.23% | ||
| 2019 | Advisory Vote 25 | Financial institution tax | 44.62% | 55.38% | ||
| 2019 | Advisory Vote 24 | Business activities tax | 37.35% | 62.65% | ||
| 2019 | Advisory Vote 23 | E-cig/vaping tax | 66.91%% | 33.09% | ||
| 2019 | Advisory Vote 22 | Paint tax | 37.97% | 62.03% | ||
| 2019 | Advisory Vote 21 | Surcharge on timber products | 41.10% | 58.90% | ||
| 2019 | Advisory Vote 20 | Tax on wages | 37.08% | 62.92% | ||
| 2018 | Advisory Vote 19 | Crude oil tax | 46.47% | 53.53% | ||
| 2017 | Advisory Vote 18 | State property tax | 40.95% | 59.05% | ||
| 2017 | Advisory Vote 17 | Business and occupation tax | 37.66% | 62.34% | ||
| 2017 | Advisory Vote 16 | Commercial fishing fees | 45.59% | 54.41% | ||
| 2016 | Advisory Vote 15 | Alternative fuel tax excemption | 40.10% | 59.90% | ||
| 2016 | Advisory Vote 14 | Dental plan tax | 30.86% | 69.14% | ||
| 2015 | Advisory Vote 13 | Manufacturer tax preferences | 36.59% | 63.41% | ||
| 2015 | Advisory Vote 12 | Gas tax increase | 35.63% | 64.37% | ||
| 2015 | Advisory Vote 11 | Medical marijuana fee | 58.73% | 41.27% | ||
| 2015 | Advisory Vote 10 | Oil spill prevention tax | 51.32% | 48.68% | ||
| 2014 | Advisory Vote 9 | Leasehold excise tax | 55.27% | 44.73% | ||
| 2014 | Advisory Vote 8 | Agricultural tax on marijuana | 54.41% | 45.59% | ||
| 2013 | Advisory Vote 7 | Estate tax | 51.23% | 48.77% | ||
| 2013 | Advisory Vote 6 | Retaill sales tax exemption | 47.74% | 52.26% | ||
| 2013 | Advisory Vote 5 | Insurance premium tax | 39.52% | 60.48% | ||
| 2013 | Advisory Vote 4 | Aircraft excise tax | 53.54% | 46.46% | ||
| 2013 | Advisory Vote 3 | Leasehold excise tax | 52.47% | 47.53% | ||
| 2012 | Advisory Vote 2 | Pollution liability insurance | 45.00% | 55.00% | ||
| 2012 | Advisory Vote 1 | Omnibus tax preference | 43.10% | 56.90% | ||
Path to the ballot
The measure was automatically referred to the ballot as required under Initiative 960, an initiative that was passed in 2007. I-960 requires an advisory vote to be referred to voters concerning any law passed by the legislature that creates or increases taxes or fees.[3] Advisory Vote 20 was a nonbinding question advising the legislature to either maintain or repeal House Bill 1087, which was passed in the 2019 legislative session.[1]
House Bill 1087
The vote in the legislature on House Bill 1087 was as follows:
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How to cast a vote
- See also: Voting in Washington
Poll times
Washington is an all-mail voting state. Individuals who prefer to vote in person rather than by mail may do so at local voting centers, which are open for 18 days prior to the election. The voting period ends at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Contact your county elections department for more information on voting center locations and times.[4]
Registration requirements
- Check your voter registration status here.
To vote in Washington, one must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the state, and at least 18 years of age.[5]
One may register to vote online, by mail, or in-person at a county elections department. Registration must be completed eight days in advance if done by mail or online. In-person registration is available through Election Day.[6]
In 2018, Washington lawmakers enacted legislation providing for same-day voter registration and automatic voter registration.[7]
Automatic registration
Washington automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles, health benefit exchange, and other state agencies approved by the governor.[7]
Online registration
- See also: Online voter registration
Washington has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.
Same-day registration
Washington allows same-day voter registration.[7]
Residency requirements
Washington law requires 30 days of residency in the state before a person may vote.[5]
Verification of citizenship
Washington does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, a voter who knowingly provides false information or knowingly make a false declaration about their qualifications "will have committed a class C felony that is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to ten thousand dollars, or both."[8]
All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[9] As of January 2025, six states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, and New Hampshire — had passed laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration. However, only two of those states' laws were in effect, in Arizona and New Hampshire. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allowed noncitizens to vote in some local elections as of November 2024. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.
Verifying your registration
The site Vote WA, run by the Washington Secretary of State office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.
Voter ID requirements
Washington is an all-mail voting state and does not require voters to present photo identification (ID). Voters may choose to vote in person at a local voting center. According to state law RCW 29A.40.160, “The county auditor shall require any person desiring to vote at a voting center to either sign a ballot declaration or provide identification.” Accepted forms of ID include driver's licenses, state ID cards, and student ID cards. For a list of all accepted forms of ID, see below.[10]
The following list of accepted ID was current as of April 2023. Click here for the Washington State Legislature's voter ID regulations to ensure you have the most current information.
- Driver's license
- State identification card
- Student identification card
- Tribal identification card
- Employer identification card
See also
External links
- Advisory Vote 20, House Bill 1087 Full Text
- 2019 Advisory Votes
- Washington 2019 general election voter guide
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Washington Secretary of State, "2019 general election voters' guide," accessed September 20, 2019
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Washington Office of Financial Management, "Tax & fee proposals (I-960)," accessed September 20, 2019
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, “Frequently Asked Questions on Voting by Mail,” accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Washington Secretary of State, "Voter Eligibility," accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "Voter registration deadlines," accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 The Hill, "Wash. gov signs universal voter registration law," March 20, 2018
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Washington State Voter Registration Form," accessed November 2, 2024
- ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "RCW 29A.40.160," accessed April 20, 2023
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