Democrats' plan to revamp WA's initiative process stirs backlash
Majority Democrats in the state Legislature are pushing changes they say will restore integrity to Washington’s venerable initiative process.
Opponents contend the moves will effectively block residents’ direct path to the ballot to pass laws of their own making.
Bills introduced in the House and Senate would bar paying a person for each signature they collect. And they would allow legal action against those suspected of violations.
The legislation also would add a new step at the front end of the process by requiring a person, at the time they fill out paperwork and pay the fee for an initiative, to also submit signatures of 1,000 registered voters as a show of support for a proposed measure.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/26/democrats-plan-to-revamp-was-initiative-process-stirs-backlash/