At OneAmerica Votes we envision a Washington state where our leaders reflect our communities, where everyone can thrive, where we all have what we need to stay healthy and safe, and where our policies reflect the needs of the community. That is why we support the following ballot measures which we believe will further our vision of a more equitable Washington State that puts the needs of the community first.
OneAmerica Votes endorses the following ballot measure positions:
- Referendum 90: Vote APPROVED for comprehensive sex ed that values science and that teaches our children about their bodies, that consent is important, and that LGBTQ people exist.
- Engrossed Senate Joint Resolution No. 8212: Vote APPROVED to make sure that our elders are taken care of, so none of us will be left without care when we need it.
- King County Charter Amendments:
- Charter Amendment 1: Vote YES to make sure victims of police violence or negligence have legal representation and a fair court process that holds police accountable.
- Charter Amendment 3: Vote YES to make sure that programs and services in King County are available to all, regardless of immigration status, so we all have what we need to stay healthy and safe.
- Charter Amendment 6: Vote YES to reform policing, protecting Black and brown lives and mentally ill and disabled community members by shifting power from Sherriffs to the County Executive, who can prioritize mental health and other non-police professionals responding to emergencies.
- Seattle Proposition 1: Vote YES for mass transit that supports our communities, especially immigrant and low income community members, that rebuilds our crumbling infrastructure like the West Seattle Bridge, and that reduces global warming emissions and traffic.
We are proud to endorse these positions. Below you will find brief descriptions of each measure and website links to learn more.
STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES
Vote Approved: Referendum 90
Vote APPROVED for sex ed that values science and that teaches our children about their bodies, that consent is important, and that LGBTQ people exist.
Voting to approve Referendum 90 will uphold the new Washington law (ESSB 5395) that requires all public schools to adopt or develop, consistent with state standards, age-appropriate, inclusive, comprehensive sex education. Parents retain ultimate control under Referendum 90 because the law gives parents at least one-month advance notice to review all materials, and parents may opt their children out of sex education classes. Learn more.
Vote Approved: Engrossed Senate Joint Resolution No. 8212
Vote APPROVED to make sure that our elders are taken care of, so none one of us will be left without care when we need it.
Seventy percent of adults over the age of 65 will need some level of long-term care, but ninety percent are uninsured for it. Voting to Approve ESJR 8212 will ensure that Washington’s first-in-the-nation Long Term Care Act is secure and funded. Learn more.
LOCAL BALLOT MEASURES
Vote Yes: King County Charter Amendment No. 1 – Inquests
Vote YES to make sure victims of police violence or negligence have legal representation and a fair court process that holds police accountable.
Charter Amendment No. 1 would amend Section 895 to clarify that an inquest is required when an action, decision, or possible failure to offer appropriate care by a member of a law enforcement agency might have contributed to a person’s death. The amendment would define “member of law enforcement agency” to include a commissioned officer, noncommissioned staff and agent of any local or state police force, jail, detention facility, or corrections agency.
This would also require the county to assign an attorney to represent the decedent’s family in the inquest proceeding. The family would have the option to accept or decline representation by the attorney. Learn more.
Vote Yes: King County Charter Amendment No. 3 – References to Citizens.
Vote YES to make sure that programs and services in King County are available to all, regardless of immigration status, so we all have what we need to stay healthy and safe.
To celebrate the diversity of King County and ensure all programs and services are welcoming and inclusive, this amendment would replace references in the Preamble, Section 260 and Section 800 of the charter from “citizen” to “public,” “member of the public” or “resident.” The charter should not imply citizenship requirements where none exist. Learn more.
Vote Yes: King County Charter Amendment No. 6 – Structure and Duties of the Department of Public Safety.
Vote YES to reform policing, protecting Black and brown lives and mentally ill and disabled community members by shifting power from Sherriffs to the County Executive, who can prioritize mental health and other non-police professionals responding to emergencies.
If adopted, the King County charter will be amended so that the duties of the county sheriff and the structure and duties of the department of public safety are established by county ordinance and the county executive is responsible for bargaining working conditions with the department of public safety’s represented employees. Learn more.
Vote Yes: City of Seattle Proposition No. 1 – Funding for Transit and Related Transportation Needs.
Vote YES for mass transit that supports our communities, especially immigrant and low income community members, that rebuilds our crumbling infrastructure like the West Seattle Bridge, and that reduces global warming emissions and traffic.
If approved, this proposition authorizes up to a 0.15% sales and use tax expiring April 1, 2027, and as proposed in Ordinance 126115, to replace the current voter-approved 0.1% sales tax, expiring December 31, 2020. Revenues are dedicated to: transit services benefitting Seattle residents, including frequent transit network maintenance and associated capital improvements; low-income fare programs for Seattle seniors, students, workers, and residents; and transportation needs related to COVID-19 recovery and the West Seattle Bridge closure. Learn more.