Citizens in Charge

Initiative 517, the “Protect the Initiative Act,” appears to be gaining traction among likely voters, with the most recent polling showing the ballot measure currently ahead by 36 points. According to the non-partisan Elway Poll, published on September 10, the initiative enjoys 58 percent support against only 22 percent in opposition.

Those 58 percent in favor of the pro-initiative measure include 19 percent “definitely in favor” and another 39 percent who will “probably” vote yes for the measure’s passage.  The breakdown among the 22 percent opposed to I-517 is 10 percent “definitely opposed” and 12 percent who are “probably opposed.” The poll of 406 registered Washington state voters was conducted Sept. 3-5 and has a margin of sampling error of 5% with a 95 percent level of confidence.

I-517 improves the petition process by (1) allowing six months more time for grassroots groups to gather the necessary voter signatures, (2) protecting both petition signers and circulators from harassment and intimidation, and (3) guaranteeing a vote on any qualified initiative.

“A victory for Initiative 517 in Washington state this November is the best thing that could happen to the Initiative & Referendum Movement everywhere,” said Paul Jacob, president of Citizens in Charge, which has contributed more than $200,000 to help place I-517 on the ballot. “Citizens need to put legislators on notice that by initiative we can take the issue of initiative rights over their heads to the voters.”

In 2010 Oklahoma voters passed a constitutional amendment easing the state’s signature requirement on initiative and referendum petitions, a measure placed on the ballot by state legislators. To our knowledge, Washington’s Initiative 517 marks the first time citizens have petitioned an initiative onto the ballot exclusively designed to protect and improve the initiative and referendum process. 


Seattle Times: Voters support labeling genetically-modified food, protecting signature gatherers
http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2013/09/10/elway-poll-voters-support-labeling-genetically-modified-food-protecting-signature-gatherers/#%23Static

Elway Poll: I-517 Leads by 36 Points
http://www.seattlemet.com/data/files/2013/9/attachment/119/elway_poll.pdf

Further information:

Yes on 517 – Protect Your Right to Vote on Initiatives
http://yeson517.com

Bruce Ramsey, Seattle Times: I-517 would help community activists take the initiative
http://seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2020438731_bruce27initiative517eymanbellinghamxml.html

Christy Nieto, Bellingham Herald: Initiative 517 lets citizens vote on all qualified initiatives
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/09/07/3188420/initiative-517-lets-citizens-vote.html