Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Ballots have already been mailed. Return yours by drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day or ensure it is postmarked by then. Online/mail registration deadline was October 26; same-day in-person registration is available through Election Day at county voting centers. Verify your ballot and registration at VoteWA.gov.
Statewide Ballot Measures (Vote YES on all three)
Republicans and conservative groups (including Let’s Go Washington) strongly support all three. Democrats and progressive groups oppose them.
- Initiative 645 (IP26-645) – Repeal the Millionaires Tax
Repeals the new 9.9% tax on household income over $1 million (enacted March 2026, effective 2028) and prohibits future state or local taxes on individual income.
Why YES: Stops a new income tax that starts at $1 million but is widely viewed as a foot-in-the-door for broader income taxes. Protects high earners, small businesses structured as pass-throughs, and the state’s competitive tax climate. Fiscal estimates put the tax at roughly $3+ billion in early years from a small number of households. - Initiative 1 (IL26-001) – Parental Rights
Re-enacts the parents’ bill of rights (originally passed as Initiative 2081) that the Legislature later watered down. Restores rights to review educational materials, receive specific notifications, and opt children out of sexual health education, among other protections.
Why YES: Reasserts parents’ authority over their children’s education and medical decisions at school after lawmakers narrowed those rights. - Initiative 638 (IL26-638) – Protect Girls’ Sports
Requires school districts and nonprofit interscholastic organizations to prohibit biologically male students from competing in sports designated for female students. Requires healthcare provider verification of biological sex (based on reproductive anatomy, genetics, or endogenous testosterone) for female categories.
Why YES: Preserves fair competition, safety, and opportunity for female athletes. Does not ban transgender students from sports overall—it applies to sex-segregated categories.
Key Congressional Races
All 10 U.S. House seats are on the ballot. Three stand out for conservatives:
- 3rd Congressional District (Southwest Washington) – Competitive battleground that could affect House control.
John Braun (R), state senator and manufacturing executive, endorsed by President Trump. vs. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D), incumbent.
Braun led the primary. This is the top Republican target in the state. - 4th Congressional District (Central Washington) – Open seat (Rep. Dan Newhouse retiring). Strongly Republican-leaning.
Amanda McKinney (R), Yakima County commissioner, Trump-endorsed. vs. John Duresky (D). - 8th Congressional District: Republican Spencer Meline challenges incumbent Democrat Kim Schrier.
Elsewhere, Republican challengers face entrenched Democratic incumbents (e.g., Districts 1, 2, 10).
Washington Supreme Court (5 of 9 seats – Nonpartisan but consequential)
This is a rare opportunity to shift a court that has tilted left and will likely rule on the income tax and other high-profile issues. The Washington State Republican Party and many county GOPs recommend:
| Position | Recommended (Conservative/Republican-backed) | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scott Edwards | Colleen Melody (incumbent, appointed by Gov. Ferguson) |
| 3 | David Stevens (open seat) | Jaime Hawk |
| 4 | Sean O’Donnell (open seat) | Ian Birk |
| 5 | Dave Larson | Theo Angelis (incumbent, appointed by Gov. Ferguson) |
| 7 | Todd Bloom | Debra Stephens (incumbent Chief Justice) |
Do not leave these blank. Judicial races matter for taxes, crime, education, and constitutional limits on government.
Most Competitive State Legislative Races
Democrats hold large majorities (House ~59-39, Senate 30-19). The most competitive districts are concentrated in Southwest Washington (Clark/Skamania/Klickitat), the Kitsap/Pierce peninsula, parts of Central Washington, and a few Eastside/King County seats. These are the races both sides are targeting hardest.
Southwest Washington (17th & 18th Legislative Districts – Clark County area)
These are among the hottest House races. Democrats are heavily targeting Republican-held seats after strong primaries.
- 17th LD, House Pos. 1: Kevin Waters (R, incumbent) vs. Ben Christly (D)
- 17th LD, House Pos. 2: David Stuebe (R) vs. Diana Perez (D)
- 18th LD, House Pos. 1: Stephanie McClintock (R, incumbent) vs. Randi Knott (D)
- 18th LD, House Pos. 2: John Ley (R, incumbent) vs. Deken Letinich (D)
26th Legislative District (Kitsap/Pierce – Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Bremerton area)
One of the clearest Democratic flip targets; also a Senate race.
- 26th LD, Senate: Deborah Krishnadasan (D, incumbent) vs. Gary Parker (R)
- 26th LD, House Pos. 2: Katy Cornell (R) vs. Renee Hernandez Greenfield (D) — widely viewed as the most vulnerable Republican House seat.
Other Key Competitive House Races
- 12th LD, Pos. 1 (Wenatchee/Snoqualmie Valley): Brian Burnett (R) vs. Stacy Willoughby (D)
- 14th LD (Yakima Valley area): Republican incumbents/challengers (including Gloria Mendoza and Deb Manjarrez in related contests) facing Democratic pressure.
- 25th LD, Pos. 1 (Puyallup area): Michael Keaton (R, incumbent) vs. David Berg (D) — potential upset risk.
- 5th LD, Pos. 1 (East King County – Issaquah/Maple Valley/Enumclaw area): Michelle Bennett (R) vs. Zach Hall (D, incumbent).
- 35th LD: Drew MacEwen (R) is a priority hold in a lean-Republican Senate seat.
Notable Senate Races
- 42nd LD: Erika Creydt (R) vs. Michael Shepard (D) — competitive Democratic-held seat Republicans are targeting.
- 31st LD: Phil Fortunato (R, incumbent) vs. Tamara Stramel (D).
- 47th LD: Kristina Soltys (R) vs. Claudia Kauffman (D, incumbent).
Flipping even a handful of seats makes it harder for Democrats to reach a two-thirds supermajority (needed for certain tax and constitutional actions).You can check your county Republican Party voter guide for the full slate of endorsements (King, Pierce, Clark, Thurston, Snohomish, and others have published guides).
How to Vote Effectively
- Confirm your registration and view your personalized ballot at VoteWA.gov.
- Consult your county Republican Party voter guide for local races, levies, and bonds.
- Vote early if possible and track your ballot.
- Encourage family and neighbors—turnout decides close races and initiatives.
This election is one of the clearer opportunities in years to limit tax expansion, protect parental authority and girls’ sports, and introduce more balance to the state Supreme Court. Please vote!
