Platforms
Washington State Democrats (2022)
King County Democrats (2018)
Resolutions
(approved by our legislative district in the last 12 months)
Resolution 2024-1: Ranked Choice Voting for Primaries, including Presidential Primaries
WHEREAS the Washington State Democratic Central Committee Platform, a Democratic Party policy document, calls for “Ranked choice primary voting to be implemented to determine the two candidates who advance to the general election for federal, statewide, legislative, and local offices”;
WHEREAS Washington State appears to have had the highest rate of “wasted” votes in the nation;
WHEREAS Ranked Choice Voting solves this problem of wasted votes by allowing voters to list their backup choice in case their first choice drops out or doesn’t reach the threshold for allocating delegates;
WHEREAS the Democratic National Committee approved every Ranked Choice Voting delegate selection plan submitted in the most recent presidential cycle,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 5th LD Democrats calls on their Washington state representatives to promote the passage of legislation to allow voters to rank their choices in primary elections, including the presidential primary.
Submitted by Beth Bazley
Adopted by the 5th LD Democrats on January 17, 2024.
Resolution Endorsing the Coalition to Vote NO on Washington Initiative 2117
WHEREAS the Department of Ecology of the State of Washington states that the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) is part of an effort to cap and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Washington’s largest emitting sources and industries, allowing businesses to find the most efficient path to lower carbon emissions. This program works alongside other critical climate policies to help Washington achieve its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050; and
WHEREAS I-2117 will reduce funding and harm Washington taxpayers and communities in every county, affecting air quality, transportation and transit service, fish habitat, and prevention of wildfires; and
WHEREAS passing I-2117 will cut programs that:
- Lower energy costs for Washingtonians;
- Reduce toxic air pollution that endangers our families and communities;
- Support ferries and road projects;
- Reduce traffic by increasing public transit;
- Cut investments in forest health, management and wildfire prevention;
- Support Native communities from flooding and sea level rise;
- Invest in fish habitat and salmon recovery; and
- Support growers’ and ranchers’ sustainable practices; and
WHEREAS the Coalition to Vote No on Washington I-2117 says passage of I-2117 will prevent Washington from achieving our climate goals and reducing our impact on the environment; and
WHEREAS the “No on 2117 Coalition” includes more than 100 Washington organizations, including leading companies and small businesses, environmental leaders, Tribal nations, labor unions, faith groups, transportation advocates, Democratic organizations, and other community organizations;
Therefore, be it Resolved that we, the Fifth Legislative District Democrats, endorse the Coalition to Vote NO on Washington Initiative Measure No. 2117; and
BE IT FINALLY Resolved that we, the Fifth Legislative District Democrats, urge Washington voters to vote “NO” on Washington Initiative Measure No. 2117.
Sources: No2117, WA Dept. of Ecology
Submitted by Kathleen Heiman
Adopted by the 5th LD Democrats on June 19, 2024.
Resolution to Endorse NO on I-2109
Whereas the State of Washington has one of the most regressive tax systems in the nation, meaning those with lower incomes pay taxes at a higher rate than multi-millionaires and billionaires; and
Whereas Washington’s multi-millionaires and billionaires pay less than 3% of their income in state and local taxes while the rest of us up to 18%; and
Whereas passage of Initiative 2109 will benefit Washington State multi-millionaires and billionaires by rolling back recent progress made by the State Legislature toward a fairer tax system; and
Whereas if passed, Initiative 2109 will:
- Cut more than $5 billion over six years from childcare, early learning, and K-12 schools by giving a tax break to approximately 4,000 of the wealthiest residents of Washington; and
- Repeal a 7% excise tax on profits of over $250,000 received by individuals from the sale or exchange of stocks or other financial assets (not including real estate, timber, horse, and livestock, commercial fishing privileges, 401Ks, IRAs, Roth IRAs and similar retirement accounts; and certain other sales, which are exempt from the tax); and
- Reduce resources needed to maintain services for Washingtonians; and
- Put more pressure on the rest of us, through increased property and sales taxes, to make up the revenues lost; and
- Move our state into an even more regressive tax system; and
Whereas an unfair tax system furthers systemic injustice, creates barriers to critical resources, and deepens economic inequality and the divide between the super-rich and the rest of Washington’s residents,
Therefore, Be it Resolved that we, the Fifth Legislative District Democrats, endorse a NO vote on I-2109; and
Be it FINALLY Resolved, that we, the Fifth Legislative District Democrats, urge voters to VOTE NO on I-2109 in November 2024.
Sources: Invest in Washington Now, Ballotpedia, WA Dept. of Revenue; Economic Opportunity Institute; Washington State Standard: Washington State Budget and Policy Center; KUOW; Cascadia Advocate
Submitted by Kathleen Heiman
Adopted by the 5th LD Democrats on June 19, 2024.