Washington state to vote on affirmative action referendum

OLYMPIA, WASHY>> More than two decades after Washington state voters banned affirmative action, the question of whether one’s minority status should be considered as a contributing factor in state employment, contracting and admission to public colleges and universities is back on the ballot.

The Nov. 5 vote comes after the Legislature raced to approve Initiative 1000 on the final day of this year’s legislative session last April. Opponents of the measure collected enough signatures to force a referendum.

Referendum 88 asks voters to either approve or reject the measure that amends 1998’s Initiative 200, which was approved by 58% of voters. Under that law, state government is prohibited from discriminating against or giving preferential treatment to individuals or groups based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, public education, or public contracting.

The initiative passed by lawmakers last spring would allow the consideration of being part of a minority group to be a contributing factor for a qualified applicant. Along with race, sex, and ethnicity, the measure allows consideration of age, disability and honorable discharge or military status.

It would prohibit using factors such as race as the sole qualifier and bans mandatory quotas but would allow state agencies and public colleges and universities to establish diversity goals and timelines. A commission would be created to direct and oversee compliance.