Affirmative Action Initiative Certified

A proposed rollback of government affirmative action programs in Washington state is guaranteed a vote by the Legislature or, failing that, a vote by the public this fall.

Secretary of State Ralph Munro certified Initiative 200 on Wednesday after a random check of voter signatures submitted by sponsors showed far more than the 179,248 valid signatures needed to qualify. Backers had turned in about 100,000 extra signatures.

A random check of 5 percent of the signatures showed an invalidation rate of about 15 percent due to people signing more than once or signing without being a registered voter. Munro projected that even with those thrown out, sponsors had a surplus of more than 60,000 signatures.

Legislative leaders support the plan but say they haven’t decided how to deal with the initiative. Sponsors say they’re optimistic they’ll get a vote before the legislative session ends in March.

If the Republican-controlled House and Senate approve the measure, it will become law without the governor’s signature. Opponents could try to place the proposal on the fall ballot as a referendum.

Lawmakers also could place it on the ballot themselves. Some Republicans say it is such an important social issue that all voters should have a say, and some GOP strategists say they would like their candidates to run on the same ballot with the measure.

The initiative, dubbed the “Civil Rights Initiative” by its backers, would end preferences for women and minorities in state and local government hiring, college admissions and contracting.