Initiative IP26-645 failing statewide in early returns

Washington voters were rejecting Initiative IP26-645, which would repeal the state’s new 9.9% tax on income over $1 million and bar taxes on individual income, in early returns Tuesday night, 59.2% to 40.8%.

Statewide, the measure had 481,470 yes votes and 699,277 no votes, according to the Washington Secretary of State.

In Kitsap County, 41.8% of voters said yes and 58.2% no, according to unofficial results posted by the Kitsap County Auditor’s Office at 8:13 p.m. Tuesday.

The ballot measure summary reads: “This measure would repeal a 9.9% tax on annual individual income over $1,000,000; prohibit taxes measured by individual income and taxes on individual income or the receipt of individual income; and define “income.” This measure would decrease funding for public K-12 education, higher education and human services.”

Countywide, 92,136 ballots had been counted, a turnout of 45.1% of Kitsap County’s 204,242 registered voters.

The Kitsap County Auditor’s Office will keep counting ballots in the coming days, including mailed ballots postmarked by Election Day, and results can change. The county is scheduled to certify the election Nov. 24.

Initiative IP26-645 would repeal the 9.9% tax on annual individual income over $1 million that lawmakers approved this year in Senate Bill 6346 and Gov. Bob Ferguson signed. It would also bar state and local governments from imposing any tax on individual income or measured by income.

The measure is an initiative to the people sponsored by Let’s Go Washington, the political committee led by Brian Heywood. Supporters say lawmakers could lower the $1 million threshold to reach more taxpayers. Sponsors say the measure leaves in place the bill’s tax breaks, including the Working Families Tax Credit expansion and small-business B&O relief.

The No on 645 campaign, launched by Ferguson and a coalition of more than 100 groups, says repeal would lead to cuts to health care, K-12 education and child care. A yes vote repeals the tax; a no vote keeps it. The tax is also expected to face a state Supreme Court test.