For the WA cities that have initiative power, the initiative process gives Washington’s electorate the right to create laws themselves. They can petition to place proposed legislation on the ballot for their community to vote on, bypassing their city officials.
If Washingtonians are dissatisfied with certain laws or feel new laws are needed, they can petition to place proposed legislation on the ballot. The process is termed INITIATIVE because the electorate can initiate legislation.
From Washington Secretary of State: In 1912, Washington became one of the first states to adopt the initiative and referendum process, thus securing the rights of citizens to make and remake their laws, and to provide a check over the decisions of their Legislature.
Today, if Washingtonians are dissatisfied with certain laws or feel new laws are needed, they can petition to place proposed legislation on the ballot. The process is termed INITIATIVE because the electorate can initiate legislation. The electorate can either place a proposition directly on the ballot or it can submit the proposed law to the Legislature at the regular legislative session allowing the elected representatives an opportunity to enact the proposed legislation themselves instead of placing the matter on the ballot.
The initiative and referendum processes guarantee Washington’s electorate the right to legislate. Sponsors of initiative or referendum measures must obtain a substantial number of petition signatures from registered voters in order to certify their measures to the ballot or to the Legislature. Washington’s history has shown the initiative and referendum processes to be effective in protecting the people’s interests. In fact, many of our most significant laws, such as our public disclosure laws, were enacted by this process.
From Washington Secretary of State’s Initiatives and Referenda Handbook
From the “Initiative and Referendum Guide for Washington Cities and Charter Counties”
by Municipal Research and Services Center
The majority of the cities in Washington State, as well as a small number of home rule charter counties, have the option to allow local citizens to directly enact or repeal legislation through the powers of initiative and referendum. An “initiative” allows voters to directly enact new legislation, while a “referendum” allows voters to overturn legislation enacted by the jurisdiction’s legislative body.
These powers are not automatic and must be voluntarily enacted by the legislative body, and even if adopted some types of legislation are exempt from initiative and referendum.
Commission (non-home rule) counties, second class cities, and towns do not have initiative and referendum authority.
First Class Cities
The state constitution specifically grants the authority to adopt a charter to first class cities, and RCW 35.22.200 specifically provides that a first class city charter may provide for direct legislation by the people through the initiative and referendum process. All of the ten first class cities in Washington have adopted the powers of initiative and referendum, and the procedures for exercising these powers are set out in the city charter of each city. (Links to City Charters)
- Aberdeen
- Bellingham
- Bremerton
- Everett
- Richland
- Seattle
- Spokane
- Tacoma
- Vancouver
- Yakima
Second Class Cities and Towns
Second class cities and towns do not have the authority to establish initiative and referendum powers.
Code Cities
Initiative and referendum powers are available to code cities, but they are not automatic powers either at the time of incorporation or reclassification as a code city. Code cities must formally adopt these powers (RCW 35A.11.010). The following code cities have adopted the powers of initiative and referendum.
- Battle Ground (1987)
- Bellevue (1975)
- Black Diamond (2012)
- Blaine (1989)
- Bonney Lake (2003)
- Bothell (1974)
- Brier (1991)
- Burien (1993)
- Camas (1988)
- Chelan (1983)
- Cheney (1993)
- Clarkston (1994)
- Des Moines (1990)
- Edgewood
- Edmonds (1985)
- Ellensburg (1991)
- Federal Way (1992)
- Ferndale (1999)
- Gig Harbor (2020)
- Goldendale
- Issaquah (1986)
- Kahlotus (1981)
- Kalama (2022)
- Kelso (Charter city)
- Kenmore (2022)
- Kent
- La Center (2010)
- Lakewood (2006)
- Lake Forest Park (1994)
- Longview (1983)
- Lynnwood (1997)
- Mercer Island (1978)
- Mill Creek
- Monroe (1997)
- Mountlake Terrace (1990)
- Mukilteo (1993)
- North Bend (2002)
- Ocean Shores (1992)
- Olympia (1978)
- Port Angeles (2006)
- Puyallup (2012)
- Rainier (2002)
- Redmond (1982)
- Renton (1973)
- Ridgefield (1991)
- Sammamish (2015)
- SeaTac (1989/1990)
- Sequim (1996)
- Shoreline (1998)
- Spokane Valley (2005)
- Tukwila (1991)
- Tumwater (1997)
- Walla Walla (1995)
- Washougal (2007)
- Wenatchee (2002)
- Woodinville (1995)
Commission Cities
A city that has the commission form of government automatically has the powers of initiative and referendum. These powers are set out in the enabling authority for commission cities in RCW 35.17.220 through RCW 35.17.360. No cities in the state currently operate under the commission form.
Charter Counties
The state constitution grants counties the option of adopting a charter for their own form of government, and that charter may provide for direct legislation by the people through the initiative and referendum process. Seven counties have adopted a charter, and all provide for initiatives and referendums. (Links to County Home Rule Charters)
- Clallam County
- Clark County
- King County
- Pierce County
- San Juan County
- Snohomish County
- Whatcom County
For initiatives and referenda that would only impact the unincorporated areas, Clark County and King County have restricted voting to just those voters residing in the unincorporated areas.
Commission Counties
Non-charter counties with the commission form of government do not have the authority to establish initiative and referendum powers.
See also MRSC’s City and Towns Form of Government
Washington Secretary of State’s Initiatives and Referenda Handbook