2012 Washington Initiative 1240

Last updated
Initiative 1240
A measure establishing a public charter school system not to exceed forty schools over the next five years.
Results
Choice
Votes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svgYes1,525,80750.69%
Light brown x.svgNo1,484,12549.31%
Valid votes3,009,932100.00%
Invalid or blank votes00.00%
Total votes3,009,932100.00%
WA Initiative 1240 2012.svg
Precinct results

Washington Initiative 1240 "concerns creation of a public charter school system" was an initiative that appeared on the Washington state general ballot in November 2012. Originally filed with the Washington Secretary of State on May 31, proponents and paid signature gatherers collected enough signatures to be certified for the ballot on July 25, making it one of the fastest initiatives ever to do so, at an estimated cost of more than $6 per signature. [1] [2] [3] Proposed charter schools would receive public funding but not be governed by local school districts. An August 2012 financial impact study by the state Office of Financial Management estimated "an indeterminate, but non-zero, fiscal impact to local public school districts" and "known state agency implementation costs" of at least $3 million in the first five years. [4] The initiative was approved by voters in November 2012. [5]

Contents

Ballot measure title and summary

The full text of the measure is available online. [6]

Language describing I-1240 was challenged in court. [7] [8] As described by the Secretary of State's office, I-1240 "would authorize up to forty publicly-funded charter schools open to all students, operated through approved, nonreligious, nonprofit organizations, with government oversight; and modify certain laws applicable to them as public schools." [9]

This measure would allow a newly-created state commission or approved local school boards to authorize qualifying nonreligious, nonprofit organizations to operate public charter schools, limited to forty schools over five years. Public charter schools would receive standard per-student public school funding and be open to all students without tuition. Public charter schools would be subject to teacher certification requirements, government oversight, and performance reporting requirements, but exempt from certain state laws and school district policies.

Support and Opposition

Washington voters previously rejected charter school measures. Beginning with I-177 in 1996, [10] then I-729 in 2000 [11] and Referendum 55 in 2004. [12] Each of these proposals was brought forward by a few wealthy individuals and actively opposed by public school teachers, administrators and parent groups. Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna supports the measure, with democratic opponent Jay Inslee opposed. [13] As per RCW 42.17A on "campaign disclosure and contribution," the Washington state Public Disclosure Commission posts campaign information online, including committee and donor information for referendums and initiatives [14] As of August, 2012, PDC records show proponents of I-1240 with a nearly 50:1 fundraising advantage.

Statements for and against each ballot measure are available online as part of the official online voter's guide. [15]

Support

The registered sponsor for the initiative was the League of Education Voters. I-1240 campaign was funded partly by a "handful" of Puget Sound area billionaires, including Bill Gates, Paul Allen and the parents of Jeff Bezos. [3] [16] [17] Alice Walton was also among the top five contributors. [18] [19] The measure was also endorsed by Stand for Children. [20]

Opposition

The League of Women Voters of Washington opposed the measure, [21] as did the Washington Education Association [22] and the Washington Association of School Administrators. [23] The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has been opposed to all charter schools since 2010, [24] and, although the National Parent Teacher Association conditionally supports charter schools, the Washington State PTA opposed I-1240 for not meeting "criteria for local oversight." [25] [26] A variety of Democratic organizations and officials oppose I-1240. [27]

Election results

Voters approved Initiative 1240 at the ballot box. The statewide vote to approve the measure was 50.69%; the vote to reject was 49.31%.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Eyman</span> Anti-tax activist, businessman (born 1965)

Timothy Donald Eyman is an American anti-tax activist and businessman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California ballot proposition</span> Statewide referendum item in California

In California, a ballot proposition is a referendum or an initiative measure that is submitted to the electorate for a direct decision or direct vote. If passed, it can alter one or more of the articles of the Constitution of California, one or more of the 29 California Codes, or another law in the California Statutes by clarifying current or adding statute(s) or removing current statute(s).

In the politics of the United States, the process of initiatives and referendums allow citizens of many U.S. states to place legislation on the ballot for a referendum or popular vote, either enacting new legistation, or voting down existing legislation. Citizens, or an organization, might start an initiative to gather a predetermined number of signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot. The measure is placed on the ballot for the referendum, or actual vote.

Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in Washington since December 6, 2012. On February 13, 2012, Governor Christine Gregoire signed legislation that established full marriage rights for same-sex couples in the state of Washington. Opponents mounted a challenge that required voters to approve the statute at a referendum, which they did on November 6. The law took effect on December 6, and the first marriages were celebrated on December 9. Within a couple of days, more than 600 marriage licenses were issued to same-sex couples in King County alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Washington Initiative 933</span>

Ballot Initiative 933 was a ballot initiative in the U.S. state of Washington in 2006. It concerned land use planning, and was voted down by 59% in the 2006 elections.

The Northwest Progressive Institute (NPI) is a left wing think tank based in Redmond, Washington, founded in 2003 and incorporated in 2005. It uses technology, public policy research, and political advocacy to advance progressive causes in the Pacific Northwest region as well as across the United States. It describes itself as "a netroots powered strategy center working to raise America's quality of life through innovative research and imaginative advocacy."

The State Income Tax Repeal, also known as Massachusetts Question 1, was one of the 2008 ballot measures that appeared on the November 4, 2008 ballot in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. Voters were asked whether or not they approved of the proposed measure which, if it had passed, would have ended the 5.3% income tax in Massachusetts on wages, interest, dividends and capital gains. Ultimately, Massachusetts voters defeated Question 1 by a wide margin, with approximately 70% opposed versus 30% in favor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Oregon Ballot Measure 64</span> Ballot measure in Oregon

Oregon Ballot Measure 64 was an initiated state statute ballot measure on the November 4, 2008 general election ballot in Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Oregon Ballot Measure 58</span> Ballot measure in Oregon

Oregon Ballot Measure 58 was an initiated state statute ballot measure sponsored by Bill Sizemore that appeared on the November 4, 2008 general election ballot in Oregon. It was rejected by voters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Oregon Ballot Measure 60</span> Ballot measure in Oregon

Oregon Ballot Measure 60 was an initiated state statute ballot measure filed by Bill Sizemore and R. Russell Walker. Sizemore referred to it the "Kids First Act." The measure appeared on the November 4, 2008 general election ballot in Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Washington Referendum 71</span> LGBT rights referendum

The 2009 Washington Referendum 71 (R-71) legalized domestic partnership in Washington state, the first statewide referendum in the United States that extended to LGBT people the rights and responsibility of domestic partnership. The bill had passed State Legislature, and it was signed into law by the Governor in May 2009, but opponents gathered enough signatures to put the measure before the voters, who returned ballots by mail over three weeks ending on November 3, 2009, approving the measure 53% to 47%. The new law went into effect 30 days later, on December 3, 2009.

Initiative 1068 was a proposed initiative for the November 2010 Washington state general election that would have removed criminal penalties from the adult use, possession, and cultivation of marijuana in Washington. Sponsored by Vivian McPeak, Douglass Hiatt, Jeffrey Steinborn, Philip Dawdy, initiative I-1068 sought to legalize marijuana by removing marijuana offenses from the state's controlled substances act, but failed to gather enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Washington Initiative 502</span> 2012 ballot initiative in Washington, United States, concerning marijuana reform

Washington Initiative 502 (I-502) "on marijuana reform" was an initiative to the Washington State Legislature, which appeared on the November 2012 general ballot, passing by a margin of approximately 56 to 44 percent. Originally submitted to the Washington Secretary of State during the summer of 2011, enough signatures were collected and submitted by December to meet the required 241,153 signatures, sending it to the legislature. When the legislature adjourned without action in April, Initiative 502 automatically advanced to the November 2012 general ballot. It was approved by popular vote on November 6, and took effect over the course of a year, beginning with certification no later than December 6, 2012. Along with a similar Colorado measure, Initiative 502 was credited for encouraging voter turnout of 81%, the highest in the nation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Washington Referendum 74</span>

Referendum 74 was a Washington state referendum to approve or reject the February 2012 bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state. On June 12, 2012, state officials announced that enough signatures in favor of the referendum had been submitted and scheduled the referendum to appear on the ballot in the November 6 general election. The law was upheld by voters in the November 6, 2012 election by a final margin of 7.4% and the result was certified on December 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Washington Initiative 1185</span> Ballot measure in Washington that required tax increases receive a supermajority vote

Washington Initiative 1185 was a 2012 initiative in Washington state. It passed with 63.91% of the vote, but portions were declared unconstitutional in February 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Massachusetts Question 3</span> Ballot measure in Massachusetts legalizing medical marijuana

The Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Initiative, appeared as the third question on the state's 2012 ballot as an indirect initiated state statute. The measure allows cannabis to be used for medical purposes in the state. The initiative—backed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance, and the Committee for Compassionate Medicine—was filed with proponents turning in the required signatures to the Massachusetts Attorney General's office by the August 3, 2011 deadline. Those signatures were needed for the required ten qualified voters who submitted the original petition to put forward the full text of the law they want enacted. The initiative passed with support from 63% of state voters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington Initiative 522 (2012)</span> Ballot measure in Washington that would have required foods containing GMOs to be labeled

Washington Initiative 522 (I-522) "concerns labeling of genetically-engineered foods" and was a 2012 initiative to the Washington State Legislature. As certified by the Washington Secretary of State, it achieved enough signatures to be forwarded to the legislature for consideration during the 2013 session. The legislature did not vote on the initiative, so I-522 advanced to the November 5, 2013 general election ballot. If passed into law by voters, I-522 would have taken effect on July 1, 2015. The initiative failed with 51% opposition.

A unified primary is an electoral system for narrowing the field of candidates for a single-winner election, similar to a nonpartisan blanket primary, but using approval voting for the first round, advancing the top-two candidates, allowing voters to confirm the majority-supported candidate in the general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Montana Initiative 190</span> 2020 cannabis legalization ballot measure

Montana I-190, the Montana Marijuana Legalization and Tax Initiative was a cannabis legalization initiative that appeared on the November 3, 2020 Montana general election ballot. Passing with 57% approval, the initiative legalized recreational marijuana in the state effective January 1, 2021. Along with Arizona, New Jersey and South Dakota, Montana was one of four states that legalized cannabis via ballot measures in the November 2020 election.

References

  1. ↑ Smith, Erik (June 20, 2012). "I-1240 May Not Tie Record After All – 1973 Initiative Likely Always to be the Fastest Signature Drive in State History". Washington State Wire. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  2. ↑ Rosenthal, Brian M. (July 13, 2012). "Wealthy throwing money at charter-schools initiative". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  3. 1 2 Westneat, Danny (August 21, 2012). "Out-of-state money chooses what we vote on". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  4. ↑ "OFM Fiscal Impact Statement (I-1240)" (PDF). Washington State Office of Fiscal Management. August 10, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  5. ↑ WA Board of Ed to draft rules for charter schools, NWCN.com January 9, 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-24
  6. ↑ Reed, Sam (May 31, 2012). "Initiative Measure No. 1240" (PDF). Washington State Secretary of State. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  7. ↑ Callaghan, Peter (June 14, 2012). "Washington Education Association objects to ballot title on proposed charter school Initiative 1240". Political Buzz. The News-Tribune. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  8. ↑ Shannon, Brad (June 15, 2012). "UPDATE - Judge OK's ballot for I-1240 (charter schools)". The Olympian. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  9. ↑ Reed, Sam. "Proposed Initiatives to the People - 2012". Washington State Secretary of State. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Elections Search Results, November 1996 General". Washington State Secretary of State. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Elections Search Results, November 2000 General". Washington State Secretary of State. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  12. ↑ "2004 General Election > Measures". Washington State Secretary of State. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  13. ↑ Gordon Blankinship, Donna (May 30, 2012). "Gubernatorial candidates Inslee, McKenna differ on education plans". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Continuing Political Committees". Public Disclosure Commission. 2012. Archived from the original on September 7, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Online Voter's Guide". Washington State Secretary of State. 2012. Archived from the original on March 29, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  16. ↑ Rosenthal, Brian M. (June 14, 2012). "Well-funded charter-school initiative has nearly enough signatures to make ballot". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  17. ↑ Gill, Kathy (July 26, 2012). "Charter Schools Initiative 1240 bankrolled by tech millionaires". UW Election Eye 2012. The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Key Facts about I-1240: The Washington Public Charter Schools Initiative" (PDF). Washington Coalition for Public Charter Schools. August 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  19. ↑ Rosenthal, Brian M. (July 17, 2012). "Latest big gift to charter schools initiative: $600,000 from Wal-Mart heiress". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  20. ↑ "2012 Election Endorsements". Stand for Children . Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  21. ↑ Ahl, Catherine Ahl (Summer 2012). "Why the League of Women Voters of WA Opposes I1240, Public Charter Schools" (PDF). LWV Voter. League of Women Voters of Washington. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Charter Schools, No on I-1240". Washington Education Association. August 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  23. ↑ "Washington Association of School Administrators Opposes Initiative 1240" (PDF). Washington Association of School Administrators. July 26, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Resolution on Charter Schools" (PDF). National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. October 15, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  25. ↑ WSPTA Board of Directors (August 11, 2012). "WSPTA opposes charter school initiative". Grassroots Connection. Washington State PTA. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  26. ↑ Rosenthal, Brian M. (August 11, 2012). "Washington PTA announces opposition to charter school initiative". Politics Northwest. The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  27. ↑ Maxwell, Marcie (July 21, 2012). "21 reasons to oppose charter schools, Initiative 1240". The Stand. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.