2025 King County, Washington Proposition 1

Last updated

2025 King County, Washington Proposition 1
April 22, 2025
Property Tax Levy for Regional Automated Fingerprint Identification System Measure
Results
Choice
Votes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svgYes151,49559.72%
Light brown x.svgNo102,18940.28%
Valid votes253,684100.00%
Invalid or blank votes00.00%
Total votes253,684100.00%
Registered voters/turnout1,424,83617.8%

King County Proposition 1 is a legislatively referred ballot measure appeared on ballots sent to King County, Washington voters, and was due by April 22, 2025. [1] [2] It was approved for the ballot after being passed by the King County Council. [3]

Contents

The measure was approved by voters, passing with 59% in favor. [4]

Background

The measure approved a seven-year property tax, beginning in 2026, to fund operation of the Regional Automated Fingerprint Identification System, an automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) that stores fingerprint records and identifies fingerprints from various crimes. [5] The first of these computers was installed in 1988, and approved by voters in 1986. [6] [7] [8] The database contains the fingerprints of over two million fingerprints, over one million palm prints, and over sixty-three thousand crime scene prints from unsolved records. [9] [10]

A similar measure was approved by voters in 2018, with a higher tax rate than this one, though it expired in late 2024. [11] [12] [13] The tax would add $0.0275 per $1,000 of assessed property value. [14] [15] [16]

There was no opposition statement submitted to King County Elections. [17]

Campaign

Police departments held demonstrations of the AFIS in support of the measure. [18]

Endorsements

Yes
Local officials
Organizations
No
Local officials
Organizations

References

  1. ↑ Hua, Vee (April 7, 2025). "NEWS GLEAMS | REAL ID Requirements Begin May 7; King County Votes on Fingerprint ID Levy". South Seattle Emerald. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  2. ↑ "What's on your April ballot? King County fingerprint funding". Cascade PBS. April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Ballot measures April Special 2025". King County. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  4. ↑ Cohen, Josh (April 23, 2025). "Voters renew property tax for King County fingerprinting system". Cascade PBS. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Fingerprint ID levy to go before King County voters in April special election". Snoqualmie Valley Record. March 22, 2025. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Fingerprint ID levy to go before King County voters in April special election". Seattle Weekly. March 22, 2025. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Renton voters to decide on two measures in April election". Renton Reporter. March 22, 2025. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Retired King County sheriff urges voters to keep 'absolutely critical' crime-fighting levy". My Northwest. April 16, 2025. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  9. ↑ "King County voters will decide on fingerprint ID system used to solve crimes". The Seattle Times. April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Election is just days away — don't forget to vote on these two measures". The Courier-Herald. April 16, 2025. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  11. ↑ "April ballot has one bubble to fill: decision on King County fingerprint ID levy renewal". Capitol Hill Seattle. April 7, 2025. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  12. ↑ Pauley, Spencer (December 2, 2024). "King County fingerprint levy renewal would cost less than current levy rate". The Center Square. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  13. ↑ "VOTE! Special Election is Tuesday, April 22". B-Town Blog. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Fingerprint system levy on ballot in April 22 special election". B-Town Blog. April 8, 2025. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Fingerprint ID levy to go before King County voters in April special election". Renton Reporter. March 22, 2025. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  16. ↑ Jenner, Stuart (April 7, 2025). "Yes, There is a Levy Vote on the April 2025 King County Ballot". Burien News. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  17. ↑ Santos, Melissa; Tan, Anjelica (April 16, 2025). "The forensic tool on Seattle's ballot". Axios. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  18. ↑ "King County voters will decide on fingerprint ID system used to solve crimes". The Seattle Times. April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  19. ↑ "King County Official Local Voters' Pamphlet" (PDF). King County, Washington. p. 2. Retrieved April 8, 2025. Statement in favor Patti Cole-Tindall, Pete von Reichbauer, Jon Schuldt
  20. ↑ "Vote 'yes' and renew King County investigative tool". The Seattle Times. April 10, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Rantz: Five additional taxes will hit King County courtesy of Democrats". 770KTTH. March 18, 2025. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Vote "No" on King County Proposition 1". The Stranger. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
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