Will affirmative action be back on Washington's November ballot?
The Washington Legislature used the waning hours of its 2019 session on Sunday night to pass Initiative 1000, which repeals a 20-year initiative that blocked state agencies from using preferential treatment based on color, sex, ethnicity, race or national origin.
In the early hours after passage, on Monday, opponents filed with the Secretary of State for a referendum that would put I-1000 on the November ballot.
If they make it -- 130,000 valid voters signatures must be gathered by July 27 -- Washington will again debate and vote on affirmative action, and what constitutes a level playing field in education and employment.
Initiative 1000 does not bring back quotas or the state's former "plus three" system of preferential treatment, in which a less qualified candidate can leapfrog into a job.
But it does allow state and local governments to promote equal opportunity, in contracting, education and employment for people of color, women, those with physical disabilities and honorably discharged veterans.
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