Campaign to let Washington vote on affirmative action begins

4-30-2019

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Opponents of Washington’s affirmative action initiative filed a referendum to force a popular vote on the recently passed measure.

Opponents will have 90 days to gather 129,811 valid signatures.

If they can, it will override the legislative approval and force the initiative to a popular vote this November.

Initiative 1000, also known as the diversity, equity, and inclusion act, is set to allow state agencies and schools to consider factors like race in hiring, and to allow them to engage in targeted outreach and recruitment.