Voters Reject Millionaire's Tax Repeal

Washington voters turned back Initiative 645, which sought to repeal the state's newly passed income tax on millionaires.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a stone government building facade under a pale sky above an evergreen ridge line, in navy and cream. — Washington voters rejected Initiative 645 on Wednesday, with 58.1% opposing a repeal of the state's new income tax on millionaires signed by Governor Bob Ferguson. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should Washington state tax millionaires' incomes to fund public services?

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, 58.1% of Washington voters had rejected Initiative 645, a measure that would have repealed the millionaire's income tax signed by Governor Bob Ferguson earlier this year. The no campaign drew broad support statewide, including in Spokane and Okanogan counties.

Why it matters

The result keeps the state's new tax on high earners in place, while a legal challenge to the tax is expected to reach the state Supreme Court. Voters also weighed in on related measures and two Supreme Court seats in the same midterm cycle.

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, 58.1% of voters had rejected Initiative 645, according to returns tallied after the midterm vote. Final certified results and the outcome of the expected legal challenge to the tax remained unresolved in the source.

The players

Bob Ferguson

Washington's governor, who signed the millionaire's income tax into law earlier this year and appointed two justices now seeking retention on the state Supreme Court.

Colleen Melody

A Washington Supreme Court justice appointed by Governor Bob Ferguson, who is ahead in her bid to retain her seat.

Theo Angelis

A Washington Supreme Court justice appointed by Governor Bob Ferguson, who is ahead in his bid to retain his seat.

The details

Initiative 645 sought to repeal the millionaire's income tax that Governor Bob Ferguson signed earlier this year. Separately, Initiative 638, which bars transgender girls from competing in K-12 girls' sports, was passing with 56.7% of the vote on Wednesday afternoon.

Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Voters cast ballots in the midterm elections, rejecting Initiative 645.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Governor Ferguson held a news conference on the election results in Olympia.
2028: The millionaire's tax would take effect if not blocked.
2029: Revenue from the millionaire's tax would be available if it takes effect in 2028.

Political Context

Voters rejected Initiative 645, the repeal effort against the millionaire's income tax Governor Bob Ferguson signed this year, leaving the tax intact. The result signals that repeal backers did not win statewide support even as a legal challenge to the tax is expected to reach the state Supreme Court.

The result means the millionaire's income tax stays on the books for now, affecting high earners who would otherwise have seen it repealed. Residents should watch for the pending court challenge, since its outcome will determine whether the tax actually takes effect in 2028.

The takeaway

The vote keeps the millionaire's tax alive for now, but the pending court challenge will decide whether it ever takes effect, so follow the Supreme Court case as it moves forward.

What happens next

The millionaire's tax would take effect in 2028 if not blocked, with revenue available in 2029, and a legal challenge is expected to reach the state Supreme Court.