Washington Voters Reject Initiative 645, Keeping Millionaires Tax in Place

Washington voters rejected Initiative 645 in the November 3, 2026, general election, preserving the state’s new 9.9% tax on annual income above $1 million. The measure would have repealed the tax and prohibited state and local governments from imposing taxes on individual income.

Unofficial election results reported after Election Day showed approximately 58% of voters opposing the repeal and 42% supporting it. The result marks an important decision on the state’s tax policy and the funding of public services. The final outcome remains subject to official election certification.

What Initiative 645 Would Have Changed

Initiative 645 asked voters whether to repeal the income tax enacted by Washington lawmakers in 2026. The tax applies to individuals whose annual income exceeds $1 million and is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2028, with the first tax returns due in 2029.

A “yes” vote would have repealed the tax and established a broader prohibition on state and local taxes on individual income. A “no” vote kept the existing law in place.

Supporters of the repeal argued that the tax could harm Washington’s economic competitiveness and create concerns about future tax policy. Opponents argued that the revenue could help support public services, including education and health-related programs.

Potential Implications for State Funding

With Initiative 645 trailing in the vote count, state officials can continue preparing to implement the tax under existing law. State budget planners have identified public education, higher education, and human services among the areas connected to the measure’s fiscal impact.

However, the election result does not guarantee a particular amount of funding for any program. Actual revenue will depend on the tax’s implementation, collections, and future budget decisions.

The tax also does not apply to all Washington residents. It is designed for annual income above the $1 million threshold, rather than as a general income tax on middle- and lower-income households.

Other Statewide Ballot Measures

Washington voters also considered two other statewide initiatives dealing with school sports eligibility and parental rights in education.

These measures addressed separate policy questions and had their own election results. They should be assessed independently from Initiative 645, which focused on income-tax policy and the state’s authority to tax individual income.

Together, the ballot measures reflected ongoing debates over taxation, education, and the role of state government in public policy.

What Happens Next?

Election officials will continue the required canvassing and certification process before the results become official. In the meantime, state agencies can continue preparing for the tax’s scheduled implementation, unless the law is changed through subsequent legal or legislative action.

For Washington residents, homeowners, and community associations, the immediate outcome is that the current law remains in place. The broader effects on public services, state finances, and the economy will depend on how the tax is implemented and how lawmakers allocate revenue in future budgets.

The vote highlights the importance of understanding how ballot initiatives can shape state tax policy and the resources available for public services.