Midterm elections are less than a week away, meaning NOW is the time to champion the candidates and policies that support your values. Did you know that no postage is required to mail your ballot in Washington state? Just vote and drop it in the mail! But if you prefer to drop off your ballot in your neighborhood drop box, click here to find the closest drop box to your home or workplace.

OUR POSITIONS

Solid Ground would like to recognize three initiatives on the 2018 ballot that impact communities we serve in a variety of ways. Our positions reflect our values and the lived experiences of people who work every day to make communities safer, healthier and more equipped to make informed decisions.

Vote YES on I-940: De-Escalate Washington

Solid Ground endorsed this effort last summer. Following that endorsement, the State Supreme Court ruled the Legislature acted improperly in passing and amending the bill, so now it’s back on the ballot.

I-940 attempts to reduce violent confrontations by requiring:

• all law enforcement officers undergo violence de-escalation and mental health training
• the creation of a “good faith” standard which determines when the use of deadly force is justifiable
• officers to provide first-aid services to save lives

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Vote YES on I-1631: Pollution fee for large carbon emitters

Climate change affects everyone and has an even deeper impact on low-income communities and communities of color. Without the same access to resources that combat the effects of climate change, these communities are often distinctly vulnerable.

I-1631 enacts a $15/ton carbon fee on our state’s largest corporate polluters, which will then be used to create about 40,000 jobs in clean water and healthy forests programs, healthy community investments and, in particular, clean air and energy programs with significant investments in transitioning low-income people to renewable energies. This would be the U.S.’ FIRST carbon fee, reinforcing Washington state’s track record of leaning into new solutions for big problems.

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Vote NO on I-1634: Prohibit new local taxes on groceries

This initiative prohibits new or increased local taxes, fees and assessments on groceries (both food and beverages). However, this is excessive given that state law already prohibits taxes on groceries.

Backed by billion-dollar soda companies like Coca-Cola and Red Bull, I-1634 also limits the power community residents have in deciding how local revenue decisions are made, giving state government greater control over taxation.

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For more information on the impact of these initiatives, head over to our advocacy partner’s 2018 Voter Guide, compiled after Statewide Poverty Action Network spent the summer registering voters and working with communities on advocacy education across the state.