Washington voters lean toward keeping new income tax

Washington state voters appear ready to uphold the new income tax on high earners, according to early election night results. As of 9 p.m. on November 3, 2026, 33 of 39 counties had reported. The data showed 58.1% of those voting supported keeping the tax. This marks the first time Washington residents have voted in favor of an income tax since 1932.

The tax targets households earning more than $1 million annually. Democrats in the state Legislature passed the measure earlier in 2026. A repeal initiative placed on the ballot aimed to overturn the law. The "no" vote, which supports retention, held a lead over the "yes" vote for repeal as tallies continued.

Fundraising numbers suggested the outcome before votes were counted. The campaign to keep the tax, backed by labor unions, out-raised the repeal campaign by more than three to one. The "no" campaign also raised more than double the amount of Brian Heywood's political action committee. Heywood's group funded the repeal measure and two other conservative-backed items on the ballot.

Historically, Washington residents have rejected income and corporate taxes ten times in the last century. In 1932, a majority voted for an income tax, but the state Supreme Court later struck it down. Until this year, Washington was the only Democratic-led state in the nation without an income tax.

Legal challenges may still affect the measure. A lawsuit is currently moving through the courts and is expected to reach the state Supreme Court within the next year. Since 1933, court precedent has held that the state Constitution does not allow income taxes. Voters selected five of the nine Supreme Court seats on November 3. Candidates did not explicitly state whether they would permit an income tax.

Scott Greenstone reported the story for KUOW. It was distributed via the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington. The piece is part of OPB's effort to provide regional journalism.