Updated 2:08 p.m. to include an opposing view to Initiative 24-03.
Updated Oct. 21, 9:41 a.m. to include the Legislative District 38 race.
EVERETT, OCT. 21: Three initiatives will impact Everett on the ballot in this upcoming General Election.
Below are all initiatives that Everett voters will be asked to vote on, along with information on candidates. There is information on all Washington initiatives, measures, and candidates plus pros and cons listed on your voter guide.
Unsure if you are registered to vote? Click here. Haven’t received your voter pamphlet yet? Here is an online version.
Initiative 24-01, Minimum Wage Increase, Everett Deserves a Raise
Both initiatives 24-01 and 24-02 propose a minimum wage increase from $16.28 to $20.24. You can read a more in-depth explainer here.
24-01, proposed by Everett Deserves a Raise, would raise the minimum wage in Everett but would NOT include tips and other compensation for large employers. For smaller employers, it would be phased in over two years.
The ordinance would also require employers to offer hours to existing part-time employees before hiring new employees.
Everett Deserves a Raise criticizes initiative 24-02 saying that employees would need to rely on tips just to make minimum wage when the “tipping culture is out of control.” They argue that there is no guarantee that workers will get tipped for their service, or that the tips that they make will equate to the wage increase.
Initiative 24-02, Minimum Wage Increase, Raise the Wage Responsibly
This ordinance is the same as 24-01 except employers would be allowed to count tips toward the minimum wage requirement.
This would make the higher costs easier to manage for employers, meaning they won’t need to lay off their employees, reduce their hours of operation, or give fewer hours to their employees. This model was used in Seattle when they raised their minimum wage, and it is argued that it’s a workable model for Everett to follow.
No matter what initiative is approved, the new minimum wage would take effect July 1, 2025, for businesses with 500 or more employees.
Since the initiatives are running independently and not directly against each other, it is possible both could pass with a 51% majority.
If that happens, the City of Everett said the initiative with the more votes in favor will be declared the winner.
Initiative 24-03, Recognizing legally enforceable rights for Snohomish River Watershed
This initiative gives the Snohomish River Watershed legal rights that could be enforced by any resident in Everett. Essentially anyone who negatively impacts the Watershed’s ability to exist violates this right and could be liable for damages.
“Local residents and entities who rely on the Watershed’s health should have the ability to advocate for its protection,” the website reads.
Those who oppose this initiative claim that the initiative doesn’t clearly identify what constitutes a violation of the river’s rights, leaving it open to interpretation.
They also claim that litigation could slow down infrastructure improvements within the city.
Snohomish County Public Safety Sales Tax (Prop. 1)
Snohomish County is asking voters to consider a public safety sales tax, about 2 cents for every $10 spent on retail sales (.002). Or 10 additional cents on $50 retail purchase, 20 cents on $100, and $1.00 (one dollar) on $500. The levy funds would go towards “new and expanded public safety programs in Snohomish County that would focus on reducing violent crime and the impacts of the drug epidemic.”
The money would be split between the County and the cities, 60% to the County and 40% to be divided among the 19 cities. The county’s portion would be used to implement new or expanded efforts that enhance criminal justice and address critical behavioral health needs.
Proposed uses of the funding include hiring additional law enforcement officers, opening a second resource center similar to the Carnegie Resource Center in Everett, expanding access to substance use treatment in jail, and more.
The County estimates that they will receive $23.76 million per year from this sales tax, and the cities’ portion at $15.84 million based on current retail sales. The city portions would be allocated per capita (city population). They estimate that the city of Everett would receive $3,726,944 a year from this sales tax.
All cities must spend at least one-third of their portion for criminal justice purposes. The other two-thirds is at the city’s discretion.
Around half of the county’s portion will go towards law and justice purposes, and the other portion to other public safety priorities such as a recovery facility, community resource center, and youth violence.
For more information on this proposition, see here.
38th Legislative District
Both incumbents Julio Cortes (Position 1) and Mary Fosse (Position 2) are being challenged. Annie Fitzgerald is challenging Cortes and Marnie Claywell challenges Fosse.
In 2022 Cortes won the seat and has worked to pass bills against youth homelessness and regulate the juvenile justice system. If elected, he will continue to fight for equitable housing opportunities and invest in education. You can find his campaign page here.
His challenger Fitzgerald is hoping to represent people with disabilities in Olympia. Fitzgerald was born blind and with multiple life-threatening conditions. She has spent the past 12 years on and off as a private investigator.
Her campaign centers around universal healthcare, guaranteed housing and raising the minimum wage. You can find more about her here.
Fosse won the seat in 2022 and has passed bills that support substance use disorder and mental health treatment. If she keeps the seat, she plans on adding more housing, childcare and job support. You can find her campaign page here.
Claywell is focused on education, immigration and public safety. She wants to prioritize parental control in schools, especially over sex education. She also supports reducing taxes for families and small businesses.
She promotes the conservative Washington Parents Network that is against gender-affirming health care and inclusive sports.
You can find more about her platform here.
U.S. Representative, District 2
Incumbent Rick Larsen is being challenged by Skagit County small business owner and self-proclaimed MAGA Republican Cody Hart for Washington’s 2nd Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Larsen has held the seat for over two decades, and if reelected his top priority is to bring economic investment to the district to “create good-paying jobs that support families.”
He is also passionate about funding local drug prevention and recovery services to combat the fentanyl crisis.
If Hart is elected his priorities are securing the nation’s border, restoring election integrity and “excessive spending in Washington D.C. that has resulted in the worst inflation our nation has ever seen.”
He also believes in fighting for parent’s rights and opposing transgender students in school sports.
This information can be found in your voter pamphlet.
Snohomish County Superior Court
Incumbent Whitney Rivera is being challenged by trial and appellate attorney Mary Anderson.
Before serving on the Snohomish County Superior Court in 2024, Rivera served three years as the Edmonds Municipal Court Judge. Before her time on the bench, she served as a public defender for nearly 14 years.
“I aspire to be a judge who actively listens, shows empathy, and treats people with respect,” her website reads.
Anderson started her own firm in 2012. She also has more than 25 years of business owner experience.
“In my practice, I’m committed to preventing injustices from happening to those who find themselves in danger of losing their homes, especially due to predatory banking practice,” her website reads.
