Affirmative action measure still losing in latest counts

  • By RACHEL LA CORTE Associated Press
  • Tuesday, November 12, 2019 1:30am
  • News

By Rachel La Corte

The Associated Press

OLYMPIA — Nearly a week after the election, a measure that reinstates the use of affirmative action in state employment, contracting and admission to public colleges and universities was continuing to be narrowly rejected by Washington voters as counties move closer to finishing their vote counts.

As of Monday afternoon, Referendum 88 was being rejected by 50.4 percent of voters with a margin of just under 13,000 votes.

More than a dozen counties are set to update their vote tallies this afternoon.

R-88 asked voters whether they want to approve or reject Initiative 1000, which was passed by the Legislature in April.

I-1000 amends current statutes that prohibit state government from discriminating against or giving preferential treatment to individuals or groups based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in public employment, public education or public contracting.

The initiative would allow the consideration of being part of a minority group to be a contributing factor for a qualified applicant.

Along with race, sex and ethnicity, the measure allows consideration of age, disability and honorable discharge or military status.

It would prohibit using factors such as race as the sole qualifier and bans mandatory quotas but would allow state agencies and public colleges and universities to establish diversity goals and timelines.

A commission would be created to direct and oversee compliance.

I-1000 was supposed to take effect in July but was put on hold after opponents collected enough signatures to force a referendum.

The measure was losing in all but four of the state’s 39 counties, but strong support in King County — the state’s most populous — has kept the margin close.

“What this shows is that there are a lot of Washingtonians that are ready to have a conversation about equity and fairness,” said April Sims, co-chair of the Washington Fairness Coalition that supported passage of the measure.

Washington is one of eight states — including California, Florida and Oklahoma — that ban affirmative action in state government and public colleges and universities, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Washington’s ban came with 1998’s Initiative 200, which was approved by 58 percent of voters.

I-1000 opponent Linda Yang said it was important for voters to have a say in potentially changing that 21-year-old law.

“It is a very close race but we are very encouraged by the numbers,” she said.

Ballots were sent to the state’s nearly 4.5 million voters last month.

Washington is an all-mail-ballot state and ballots had to be postmarked or deposited in local drop boxes by 8 p.m. election night, which means counties are updating results for several days.

More in News

Code Enforcement Officer Derek Miller, left, watches Detective Trevor Dropp operate a DJI Matrice 30T drone  outside the Port Angeles Police Department. (Port Angeles Police Department)
Drones serve as multi-purpose tools for law enforcement

Agencies use equipment for many tasks, including search and rescue

Sequim Heritage House was built from 1922-24 by Angus Hay, former owner of the Sequim Press, and the home has had five owners in its 100 years of existence. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim’s Heritage House celebrates centennial

Owner hosts open house with family, friends

Haller Foundation awards $350K in grants

More than 50 groups recently received funding from a… Continue reading

Operations scheduled at Bentinck range this week

The land-based demolition range at Bentinck Island will be… Continue reading

Weekly flight operations scheduled

There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft… Continue reading

Jefferson County lodging tax committee to meet

The Jefferson County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee will discuss… Continue reading

Restrictions lifted on left-turns near Hood Canal bridge

The state Department of Transportation lifted left-turn restrictions from… Continue reading

Community Thanksgiving meals slated this week

Several community Thanksgiving meals will take place this week. They include: FORKS… Continue reading

Two people were displaced after a house fire in the 4700 block of West Valley Road in Chimacum on Thursday. No injuries were reported. (East Jefferson Fire Rescue)
Two displaced after Chimacum house fire

One person evacuated safely along with two pets from a… Continue reading

A Port Angeles city worker places a tree topper on the city’s Christmas tree, located at the Conrad Dyar Memorial Fountain at the intersection of Laurel and First streets. A holiday street party is scheduled to take place in downtown Port Angeles from noon to 7 p.m. Nov. 30 with the tree lighting scheduled for about 5 p.m. (Emma Maple/Peninsula Daily News)
Top of the town

A Port Angeles city worker places a tree topper on the city’s… Continue reading

Hospital board passes budget

OMC projecting a $2.9 million deficit

Lighthouse keeper Mel Carter next to the original 1879 Fresnel lens in the lamp room at the Point Wilson Lighthouse. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)