Washington Income Tax Voting History Disappears Ahead of Repeal Vote

Washington's income tax voting history temporarily disappeared from a state government website just weeks before voters decide whether to repeal the state's new 9.9% income tax on income above $1 million. The historical records, documenting six rejected constitutional amendments and four additional ballot measures involving income taxes, were removed from the Washington Secretary of State's website before being restored after questions were raised. In this Washington In Focus Daily report, The Center Square examines what happened to the records, why their disappearance raised concerns and what the Secretary of State's office says caused the removal. WASHINGTON INCOME TAX HISTORY DISAPPEARS Jason Mercier of the Mountain States Policy Center compiled Washington's historical income tax election results nearly a decade ago. Working with the Washington Secretary of State's office under former Secretary Kim Wyman, Mercier helped make the information available to the public. The records document a long history of Washington voters rejecting proposed income taxes, including six constitutional amendments and four additional ballot measures. Mercier discovered that the webpage was missing while preparing a post about Washington's income tax history ahead of the November 3 election. The timing drew attention because voters are preparing to decide whether to repeal the state's new 9.9% tax on income above $1 million. SECRETARY OF STATE EXPLAINS REMOVAL According to the Washington Secretary of State's office, the page was removed during a project to retire obsolete web servers. Mercier said he did not believe Secretary of State Steve Hobbs personally directed the removal. After questions were raised, the office restored the historical information on a new webpage. Mercier welcomed the return of the records, arguing that Washington voters should have access to the state's history of income tax elections before casting their ballots. It remains unclear whether media attention or public pressure contributed to the restoration. WASHINGTON INCOME TAX REPEAL VOTE Washington voters will decide on November 3 whether to repeal or retain the new 9.9% income tax on income above $1 million. A YES vote on the income tax repeal initiative would repeal the tax. A NO vote would keep the tax in place. Washington's voting period begins October 16. IN THIS REPORT: Washington income tax repeal election Missing Washington Secretary of State voting history webpage Six rejected income tax constitutional amendments Four additional rejected income tax ballot measures Jason Mercier's research into Washington income tax history Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and the explanation for the removal Restoration of historical income tax election records Washington's new 9.9% income tax November 3 Washington election GET WASHINGTON NEWS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE Keeping up with Washington state news shouldn't feel like a second job. The Center Square sends important Washington government and policy updates approximately twice a week, explaining what happened, why it matters and what it could mean for you. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or use the link in the description. Subscribe to Washington In Focus Daily for reporting on Washington income taxes, state elections, taxpayer accountability, government transparency and public policy. #WashingtonIncomeTax #IncomeTaxRepeal #WashingtonElections #WashingtonPolitics #GovernmentTransparency #TaxpayerAccountability #JasonMercier #TheCenterSquare