All eyes are on Washington, DC, post-election. But across the country, in deep blue Washington State, another story is unfolding. Despite its reputation for progressive ideas, the state saw several free-market reforms moved forward through ballot initiatives.  

Let’s Go Washington, an organization that promotes policy through citizen-led initiatives, advanced a whopping seven ballot initiatives in 2024: 

• State and Local Income Tax Ban: Prevents policymakers from implementing an income tax. 
• Reasonable Police Pursuit: Allows the police to pursue criminals by car again after it was altered post-2020.  
• Parental Notification: Requires K-12 schools to inform parents about the curriculum as well as medical procedures. 
• Stop the Hidden Gas Tax: would have repealed Washington’s cap and trade program that is driving up gas prices. 
• Repeal Capital Gains Income Tax: would have removed a seven percent tax on the sale or exchange of long-term capital assets.  
• Opt-Out of the State-Run Long-Term Care: would have made the state’s long-term care program, funded by a payroll tax, voluntary, rather than a mandatory one.  
• Stop the Gas Ban: Protects clean natural gas and energy choice.  

Of these seven ballot initiatives, four passed into law this year, including the state and local income tax ban, reasonable police pursuit, curriculum transparency for parents, and a repeal of a state law requiring plans to transition from natural gas to electricity—which ensures people can access natural gas in their homes, restaurants, and businesses.

It’s no small feat to get a ballot initiative certified, let alone seven over the span of just a few months. In fact, no other organization in the country has ever successfully gotten seven initiatives qualified in one year. Certifying requires 320,000 valid signatures. Each of these ballot initiatives received more than 420,000, with one receiving over 550,000—the second highest in state history. What’s more, Let’s Go Washington was able to launch these initiatives in a state that is typically more sympathetic to progressive causes.

The Durable Freedom Infrastructure at Work 

These efforts underscore the power of the durable freedom infrastructure, where organizations with different strengths within a state partner together towards positive policy reform. The Washington Policy Center, a state think tank and key ally of Let’s Go Washington, provided sound economic research on these issue areas as well as spoke on behalf of the ballot measures to the media and community groups. Let’s Go Washington and Project 42, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit focused on building essential capacities in Washington—has been making strides in a politically challenging state. Project 42, in particular, is spearheading the “Initiative Machine,” a strategy designed to coordinate and drive ballot initiatives effectively.

Thanks to these organizations, Washington residents will see meaningful improvements in their lives. These reforms will make communities safer, improve schools, avoid adding new taxes, and help keep energy bills from rising—offering relief at a time when many are struggling with higher costs. It also puts the status quo on defense and ensures that if harmful policies are proposed, they won’t go unchallenged.