Measure to repeal affirmative action initiative makes November ballot

The Secretary of State’s office recently certified Referendum 88 (R-88) for the general election. R-88 seeks to repeal the recent initiative that restores affirmative action in Washington state.

During the 2019 session, the Legislature passed the Washington State Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Act, which was proposed by citizens as Initiative 1000 (I-1000). The initiative permits state and local governments to implement affirmative action laws, regulations, policies, or procedures in public employment, higher education, and contracting. I-1000 does not include mandates for local governments but instead amends current law to allow state and local governments to create policies to remedy discrimination against certain protected classes.

The opponents of I-1000 had 90 days to gather 129,811 valid signatures to force a public vote. The referendum campaign submitted more than 213,000 signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office, ensuring that the issue will come before voters on the November ballot.

For more information on the initiative and referendum process, please visit AWC’s initiatives and referenda article or the Secretary of State’s Proposed Referendum Measures information page.