Washington state election results: $30 car tabs leading, affirmative action a close race

UPDATE: Initial election results were released shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Find the complete list here. See additional background below. We also are sending push alerts for breaking updates and livestreaming our election night newscast on the KIRO 7 News App, which you can download here for your smartphone

ORIGINAL TEXT: Voters in Washington state have a crowded ballot to fill out for this week's election, with a referendum on affirmative action, an initiative on the price of car tabs and Seattle City Council positions among the things they are being asked to decide.

>> Election Results are expected around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday. Find the complete list here. We also will send push alerts on the KIRO 7 News App, which you can download here.

Affirmative action referendum

Referendum 88 asks voters statewide if they want to approve or reject Initiative 1000, which was passed by the Legislature in April. Initiative 1000 amends current statutes to allow a person's minority status to be considered as a contributing factor in state employment, contracting and admission to public colleges in universities.

$30 car tabs initiative

Initiative 976 would lower most taxes paid through annual vehicle registration to $30 and largely revoke the authority of state and local governments to add taxes and fees without voter approval.

The measure also would repeal taxes and fees already in place, potentially costing the state and local governments more than $4 billion in revenue over the next six years, according the state Office of Financial Management.

Seattle City Council races

Follow this link to see the background and updates on the Seattle City Council races.

Amendment on government powers

An update to a constitutional amendment on government powers in an emergency enacted during the Cold War also is before voters.

Resolution 8200 asks voters to broaden the section on "continuity of governmental operations in periods of emergency" so that continuity is ensured not only in case of attack but also in case of "catastrophic incidents" such as a massive earthquake. The measure passed the Democratic-controlled Legislature earlier this year with strong bipartisan support: 37-11 in the Senate and 91-7 in the House.

Advisory votes

Voters are also deciding on 12 non-binding advisory votes on revenue bills approved by the Legislature earlier this year, including an increase in business and occupation taxes on large banks and a change to the state's real estate excise tax. Those votes stem from a provision under Initiative 960, which passed in 2007. It gives the public the chance to weigh in on tax increases, even though regardless of the outcome, no changes in state law occur from the votes.

Ballot drop boxes open until 8 p.m. Tuesday

The state's nearly 4.5 million registered voters started receiving their ballots in the mail weeks ago. Ballots must be postmarked or deposited in local drop boxes by 8 p.m. Tuesday.

All of the ballot-return envelopes for this and future elections are guaranteed to include prepaid postage, after the Legislature approved a measure this year.

Off year elections like this one historically have seen lower turnout in the state. Over the past 10 years, turnout has ranged from a low of 37 percent in 2017 to a high of about 53 percent in 2011.

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