Washington State Constitution: Amendments
Prepared by Mary Whisner, Christina Luini, and Frank Ott. Posted Sept. 2011; last updated July 11, 2013.
The people of Washington have amended the constitution over 100 times. This table lists the amendments and cites the Laws of Washington and, when available, the state voters' pamphlets.
The text of all the amendments through 2010, in the order of passage, is here.
For more on the history of the Constitution, particularly its drafting in 1889, see Washington State Constitution: History.
| Amendment | Article, Section Affected | Topic | History |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Art. XVI, Sec. 5 | Investment of school fund | 1893 p 9 Section 1. Approved November, 1894. |
| 2 | Art. VI, Sec. 1 | Qualifications of voters | 1895 p 60 Section 1. Approved November, 1896. |
| 3 | Art. VII, Sec. 2 | Taxation | 1899 p 121 Section 1. Approved November, 1900. |
| 4 | Art. I, Sec. 11 | Religious freedom | 1903 p 283 Section 1. Approved November, 1904. |
| 5 | Art. VI, Sec. 1 | Qualifications of electors (women's suffrage) |
1909 p 26 Section 1. Approved November, 1910. |
| 6 | Art. III, Sec. 10 | Vacancy in office of governor | 1909 p 642 Section 1. Approved November, 1910. |
| 7 | Art. II, Secs. 1, 21 | Legislative powers, where vested | 1911 p 136. Approved November, 1912. |
| 8 | Art. I, Secs. 33, 34 | Recall of elective officers | 1911 p 504 Section 1. Approved November, 1912. |
| 9 | Art. I, Sec. 16 | Eminent domain | 1919 p 385 Section 1. Approved November, 1920. 1920 voters' pamphlet. |
| 10 | Art. I, Sec. 22 |
Rights of the accused |
1921 p 79 Section 1. Approved November, 1922. 1922 voters' pamphlet. |
| 11 | Art. VIII, Sec. 4 | Moneys disbursed only by appropriations | 1921 p 80 Section 1. Approved November, 1922. 1922 voters' pamphlet. |
| 12 | Art. XI, Sec. 5 |
County government |
1923 p 254 Section 1. Approved November, 1924. 1924 voters' pamphlet. |
| 13 | Art. II, Sec. 15 |
Vacancies in legislature |
1929 House Joint Resolution No. 13, p 689. Approved November, 1930. 1930 voters' pamphlet. |
| 14 | Art. VII, Sec. 1 |
Taxation | 1929 p 499 Section 1. Approved November, 1930. 1930 voters' pamphlet. |
| 15 | Art. XV, Sec. 1 |
Harbor line commission |
1931 p 417 Section 1. Approved November, 1932. 1932 voters' pamphlet. |
| 16 | Art. XII, Sec. 11 |
Stockholder liability |
1939 Senate Joint Resolution No. 8, p 1024. Approved November, 1940. 1940 voters' pamphlet. |
| 17 | Art. VII, Sec. 2 |
Taxation |
1943 House Joint Resolution No. 1, p 936. Approved November, 1944; 1944 voters' pamphlet. |
| 18 | Art. II, Sec. 40 |
Highway funds |
1943 House Joint Resolution No. 4, p 938. Approved November, 1944. 1944 voters' pamphlet. |
| 19 | Art. VII, Sec. 3 |
Taxation of federal agencies and property |
1945 House Joint Resolution No. 9, p 932. Approved November, 1946. 1946 voters' pamphlet. |
| 20 | Art. XXVIII, Sec. 1 |
Compensation of state officers |
1947 Senate Joint Resolution No. 4, p 1371. Approved November 2, 1948. 1948 voters' pamphlet. |
| 21 | Art. XI, Sec. 4 |
County government and township organization |
1947 Senate Joint Resolution No. 5, p 1372. Approved November 2, 1948. 1948 voters' pamphlet. |
| 22 | Art. XI, Sec. 7 |
County officers limited to two terms (repeal) |
1947 House Joint Resolution No. 4, p 1385. Approved November 2, 1948. 1948 voters' pamphlet. |
| 23 | Art. XI, Sec. 16 |
Combined city and county |
1947 House Joint Resolution No. 13, p 1386. Approved November 2, 1948. 1948 voters' pamphlet. |
| 24 | Art. II, Sec. 33 |
Alien ownership |
1949 Senate Joint Resolution No. 9, p 999. Approved November 7, 1950. 1950 voters' pamphlet. |
| 25 | Art. IV, Sec. 3(a) |
Establishing retirement age for judges of supreme and superior courts |
1951 House Joint Resolution No. 6, p 960. Approved November 4, 1952. 1952 voters' pamphlet. |
| 26 | Art. II, Sec. 41 |
Permitting the legislature to amend initiative measures |
1951 Substitute Senate Joint Resolution No. 7, p 959. Approved November 4, 1952. 1952 voters' pamphlet. |
| 27 | Art. VIII, Sec. 6 |
Extending bonding powers of school districts |
1951 House Joint Resolution No. 8, p 961. Approved November 4, 1952. 1952 voters' pamphlet. |
| 28 | Art. IV, Secs. 6, 10 |
Increasing monetary jurisdiction of justice courts |
1951 Substitute House Joint Resolution No. 13, p 962; Approved November 4, 1952. 1952 voters' pamphlet. |
| 29 | Art. II, Sec. 33 |
Alien ownership |
1953 House Joint Resolution No. 16, p 853. Approved November 2, 1954. 1954 voters' pamphlet. |
| 30 | Art. II, Secs. 1, 1(a) |
Initiative and referendum petitions |
1955 Senate Joint Resolution No. 4, p 1860. Approved November 6, 1956. 1956 voters' pamphlet. |
| 31 | Art. III, Sec. 25 |
Qualifications, compensation, offices which may be abolished |
1955 Senate Joint Resolution No. 6, p 1861. Approved November 6, 1956. 1956 voters' pamphlet. |
| 32 | Art. II, Sec. 15 |
Vacancies in legislature and in partisan county elective office |
1955 Senate Joint Resolution No. 14, p 1862. Approved November 6, 1956. 1956 voters' pamphlet. |
| 33 | Art. XIV, Sec. 1 |
State boundaries |
1957 Senate Joint Resolution No. 10, p 1292. Approved November 4, 1958. 1958 voters' pamphlet. |
| 34 | Art. I, Sec. 11 |
Religious freedom |
1957 Senate Joint Resolution No. 14, p 1299. Approved November 4, 1958. 1958 voters' pamphlet. |
| 35 | Art. II, Sec. 25 |
Extra compensation prohibited |
1957 Senate Joint Resolution No. 18, p 1301. Approved November 4, 1958. 1958 voters' pamphlet. |
| 36 | Art. II, Sec. 1 |
Publication and distribution of voters' pamphlets |
1961 Senate Joint Resolution No. 9, p 2751. Approved November, 1962. 1962 voters' pamphlet |
| 37 | Art. XXIII, Sec. 1 |
Publication of proposed constitutional amendments |
1961 Senate Joint Resolution No. 25, p 2753. Approved November, 1962. 1962 voters' pamphlet. |
| 38 | Art. IV, Sec. 2(a) |
Temporary performance of judicial duties |
1961 House Joint Resolution No. 6, p 2757. Approved November, 1962. 1962 voters' pamphlet. |
| 39 | Art. II, Sec. 42 |
Governmental continuity during emergency periods |
1961 House Joint Resolution No. 9, p 2758. Approved November, 1962. 1962 voters' pamphlet. |
| 40 | Art. XI, Sec. 10 |
City charters |
1963 ex.s. Senate Joint Resolution No. 1, p 1526. Approved November 3, 1964. 1964 voters' pamphlet. |
| 41 | Art. IV, Sec. 29 |
Election of superior court judges |
1965 ex.s. Substitute Senate Joint Resolution No. 6, p 2815. Approved November 8, 1966. 1966 voters' pamphlet. |
| 42 | Art. II, Sec. 33 |
Alien ownership (repeal) |
1965 ex.s. Senate Joint Resolution No. 20, p 2816. Approved November 8, 1966.1966 voters' pamphlet. |
| 43 | Art. IX, Sec. 3 |
Common school construction fund |
1965 ex.s. Senate Joint Resolution No. 22, part 1, p 2817. Approved November 8, 1966. 1966 voters' pamphlet. |
| 44 | Art. XVI, Sec. 5 |
Investment of permanent school fund |
1965 ex.s. Senate Joint Resolution No. 22, part 2, p 2817. Approved November 8, 1966. 1966 voters' pamphlet. |
| 45 | Art. VIII, Sec. 8 |
Port expenditures to promote industrial or trade development |
1965 ex.s. Senate Joint Resolution No. 25, p 2819. Approved November 8, 1966.1966 voters' pamphlet. |
| 46 | Art. VI, Sec. 1A |
Voter qualifications for presidential elections |
1965 ex.s. Substitute House Joint Resolution No. 4, p 2820. Approved November 8, 1966. 1966 voters' pamphlet. |
| 47 | Art. VII, Sec. 10 |
Retired persons property tax exemption |
1965 ex.s. House Joint Resolution No. 7, p 2821. Approved November 8, 1966.1966 voters' pamphlet. |
| 48 | Art. VIII, Sec. 3 |
Publication of laws authorizing state debt |
1965 ex.s. House Joint Resolution No. 39, p 2822. Approved November 8, 1966. 1966 voters' pamphlet. |
| 49 | Art. XXIX, Sec. 1 |
Investment of public pension funds |
1969 Senate Joint Resolution No. 5, p 2975. Approved November 5, 1968. 1968 voters' pamphlet (King County). |
| 50 | Art. IV, Sec. 30 |
Authorizing state court of appeals |
1969 Senate Joint Resolution No. 6, p 2975. Approved November 5, 1968. 1968 voters' pamphlet (King County). |
| 51 | Art. VIII, Sec. 9 |
Providing for state building authority |
1969 Senate Joint Resolution No. 17, p 2976. Approved November 5, 1968. 1968 voters' pamphlet (King County). |
| 52 | Art. II, Sec. 15; Art. XI, Sec. 6 |
Vacancy in legislative and county elective offices |
1969 Senate Joint Resolution No. 24, p. 2976. Approved November 5, 1968. 1968 voters' pamphlet (King County). |
| 53 | Art. VII, Sec. 11 |
Taxation based on actual use ("open space" amendment) |
1969 House Joint Resolution No. 1, p 2976. Approved November 5, 1968. 1968 voters' pamphlet (King County). |
| 54 | Art. XXX, Sec. 1 |
Authorizing compensation increase during term for officials who do not set own salary |
1969 House Joint Resolution No. 13, p 2976. Approved November 5, 1968. 1968 voters' pamphlet (King County). |
| 55 | Art. VII, Sec. 2 |
Property taxation – one percent limitation |
1971 Senate Joint Resolution No. 1, p 1827. Approved November, 1972. 1972 voters' pamphlet. |
| 56 | Art. II, Sec. 24 |
Permitting authorization of lotteries |
1971 Senate Joint Resolution No. 5, p 1828. Approved November 7, 1972.1972 voters' pamphlet. |
| 57 | Art. XI, Secs. 5, 8 |
Setting of county officers' salaries |
1971 Senate Joint Resolution No. 38, p 1829. Approved November, 1972. 1972 voters' pamphlet. |
| 58 | Art. XI, Sec. 16 |
Combined city-county governments |
1971 House Joint Resolution No. 21, p 1831. Approved November, 1972. 1972 voters' pamphlet. |
| 59 | Art. VII, Sec. 2 |
Changing excess levy election formula |
1971 House Joint Resolution No. 47, p 1834. Approved November, 1972. 1972 voters' pamphlet. |
| 60 | Art. VIII, Secs. 1, 3 |
Changing constitutional debt limitation formula |
1971 House Joint Resolution No. 52, p 1836. Approved November, 1972. 1972 voters' pamphlet. |
| 61 | Art. XXXI |
Sex equality – rights and responsibilities (Equal Rights Amendment) |
1972 House Joint Resolution No. 61, p 526. Approved November, 1972. 1972 voters' pamphlet. |
| 62 | Art. III, Sec. 12 |
Governor's veto power |
1974 Senate Joint Resolution No. 140, p 806. Approved November 5, 1974. 1974 voters' pamphlet (North King County). |
| 63 | Art. VI, Sec. 1 |
Qualifications of electors (residency) |
1974 Senate Joint Resolution No. 143, p 807. Approved November 5, 1974. 1974 voters' pamphlet (North King County). |
| 64 | Art. VII, Sec. 2 |
Excess school levies |
1975-'76 2nd ex.s. Senate Joint Resolution No. 137, p 518. Approved November 2, 1976. 1976 voters' pamphlet (King County). |
| 65 | Art. IV, Secs. 6, 10 |
Jurisdiction of superior courts, justices of the peace (district courts) |
1977 Senate Joint Resolution No. 113, p 1714. Approved November 8, 1977. 1977 voters' pamphlet. |
| 66 | Art. XII, Sec. 18 |
Transportation rates |
1977 House Joint Resolution No. 55, p 1713. Approved November 8, 1977. 1977 voters' pamphlet. |
| 67 | Art. XII, Sec. 14 |
Prohibition against combinations by carriers (repeal) |
1977 House Joint Resolution No. 57, p 1714. Approved November 8, 1977. 1977 voters' pamphlet. |
| 68 | Art. II, Sec. 12 |
Sessions of legislature |
1979 Substitute Senate Joint Resolution No. 110, p 2286. Approved November 6, 1979. 1979 voters' pamphlet. |
| 69 | Art. II, Sec. 13 |
Legislators holding other offices |
1979 Senate Joint Resolution No. 112, p 2287. Approved November 6, 1979. 1979 voters' pamphlet. |
| 70 | Art. VIII, Sec. 10 |
Allowing municipal utilities to help homeowners finance energy conservation measures |
1979 Substitute Senate Joint Resolution No. 120, p 2288. Approved November 6, 1979. 1979 voters' pamphlet. |
| 71 | Art. IV, Sec. 31 |
Judicial Qualifications Commission |
1980 Substitute House Joint Resolution No. 37, p 652. Approved November 4, 1980. 1980 voters' pamphlet. |
| 72 | Art. II, Sec. 1 |
Certification of initiatives to Legislature | 1981 Substitute Senate Joint Resolution No. 133, p 1796. Approved November 3, 1981. 1981 voters' pamphlet. |
| 73 | Art. XXXII, Sec. 1 |
Special revenue financing |
1981 Substitute House Joint Resolution No. 7, p 1794. Approved November 3, 1981. 1981 voters' pamphlet. |
| 74 | Art. II, Sec. 43 |
Commission for redistricting of state legislative and congressional districts | 1983 Substitute Senate Joint Resolution No. 103, p 2202. Approved November 8, 1983. 1983 voters' pamphlet. |
| 75 | Art. XXIX, Sec. 1 |
Investment of state industrial insurance funds |
1985 House Joint Resolution No. 12, p 2398. Approved November 5, 1985. 1985 voters' pamphlet. |
| 76 | Art. VIII, Sec. 11 |
Agricultural commodity commissions |
1985 House Joint Resolution No. 42, p 2402. Approved November 5, 1985. 1985 voters' pamphlet. |
| 77 | Art. IV, Sec. 31 |
Judicial Qualifications Commission |
1986 Senate Joint Resolution No. 136, p 1532. Approved November 4, 1986. 1986 voters' pamphlet. |
| 78 | Art. XXVIII, Sec. 1 |
Authorizing independent commission to set salaries of legislators, judges, and other officials |
1986 Substitute House Joint Resolution No. 49, p 1529. Approved November 4, 1986.1986 voters' pamphlet. |
| 79 | Art. VII, Sec. 2 |
Allowing school excess levies |
1986 House Joint Resolution No. 55, p 1530. Approved November 4, 1986. 1986 voters' pamphlet. |
| 80 | Art. IV, Sec. 7 |
Allowing retired superior court judges to complete pending cases |
1987 Senate Joint Resolution No. 8207, p 2815. Approved November 3, 1987. 1987 voters' pamphlet. |
| 81 | Art. VII, Sec. 1 |
1988 House Joint Resolution No. 4222, p 1551. Approved November 8, 1988. 1988 voters' pamphlet (Edition 1). |
|
| 82 | Art. VIII, Sec. 10 |
Allowing local utilities to help owners of buildings and structure finance energy efficiency measures |
1988 House Joint Resolution No. 4223, p 1551. Approved November 8, 1988. 1988 voters' pamphlet (Edition 1). |
| 83 | Art. VI, Sec. 3 |
Disqualification from elective franchise |
1988 House Joint Resolution No. 4231, p 1553. Approved November 8, 1988. 1988 voters' pamphlet (Edition 1). |
| 84 | Art. I, Sec. 35 |
Crime victims' rights |
1989 Senate Joint Resolution No. 8200, p 2999. Approved November 7, 1989. 1989 voters' pamphlet (Edition 1). |
| 85 | Art. IV, Sec. 31 |
Commission on Judicial Conduct |
1989 Substitute Senate Joint Resolution No. 8202, p 3000. Approved November 7, 1989. 1989 voters' pamphlet (Edition 1). |
| 86 | Art. VIII, Sec. 10 |
Energy conservation assistance |
1989 Senate Joint Resolution No. 8210, p 3003. Approved November 7, 1989. 1989 voters' pamphlet (Edition 1). |
| 87 | Art. IV, Sec. 6 |
Providing that superior courts and district courts have concurrent jurisdiction in equity |
1993 House Joint Resolution No. 4201, p 3063. Approved November 2, 1993. Bill summary. 1993 voters' pamphlet. |
| 88 | Art. I, Sec. 11 |
Permitting municipalities and state agencies to employ chaplains |
1993 House Joint Resolution No. 4200, p 3062. Approved November 2, 1993. Bill summary. 1993 voters' pamphlet. |
| 89 | Art. IV, Sec. 3 |
Revising size and leadership of supreme court |
1995 Substitute Senate Joint Resolution No. 8210, p 2905. Approved November 7, 1995. Bill summary. 1995 voters' pamphlet. |
| 90 | Art. VII, Sec. 2 |
Allowing school levies for four-year periods |
1997 House Joint Resolution No. 4208, p 3063. Approved November 4, 1997. Bill summary. 1997 voters' pamphlet. |
| 91 | Art. VIII, Sec. 10 |
Authorizing public money derived from the sale of stormwater or sewer services to be used in financing stormwater and sewer conservation and efficiency measures | 1997 House Joint Resolution No. 4209, p 3065. Approved November 4, 1997. Bill summary. 1997 voters' pamphlet. |
| 92 | Art. VIII, Sec. 1 |
Guaranteeing school district debt |
1999 Senate Joint Resolution No. 8206, p 2387. Approved November 2, 1999. Bill summary. 1999 voters' pamphlet. |
| 93 | Art. XIX, Sec. 1 |
Investment of public pension or retirement fund or industrial insurance fund |
2000 Senate Joint Resolution No. 8214, p 1919. Approved November 7, 2000. 2000 voters' pamphlet. |
| 94 | Art. IV, Sec. 7 |
Exchange of judges, judges pro tempore |
2001 Engrossed Senate Joint Resolution No. 8208, p 2327. Approved November 6, 2001. 2001 voters' pamphlet (statewide version). |
| 95 | Art. VII, Sec. 2 |
Limitation on levies |
2002 House Joint Resolution No. 4220, p 2203. Approved November 5, 2002. 2002 voters' pamphlet (statewide version). |
| 96 | Art. II, Sec. 15 |
Vacancies in Legislative and Partisan County Elective Offices |
2003 House Joint Resolution No. 4206, p 2819. Approved November 4, 2003. 2003 voters' pamphlet (statewide version). |
| 97 | Art. IV, Sec. 31 |
Commission on Judicial Conduct |
2005 Senate Joint Resolution No. 8207, pp 2799, 2800. Approved November 8, 2005. 2005 voters' pamphlet (statewide version). |
| 98 | Art. VII, Sec. 1 |
Personal Property Tax Exemption |
2006 House Joint Resolution No. 4223, p 2117. Approved November 7, 2006. 2006 voters' pamphlet. |
| 99 | Art. VII, Sec. 12 |
Budget stabilization account |
2007 Engrossed Substitute Senate Joint Resolution No. 8206, pp 3146, 3147. Approved November 6, 2007. 2007 voters' pamphlet (statewide version) |
| 100 | Art. II, Sec. 29 |
Convict labor |
2007 Senate Joint Resolution No. 8212, p 3143. Approved November 6, 2007. 2007 voters' pamphlet (statewide version). |
| 101 | Art. VII, Sec. 2 |
Limitation on levies |
2007 Engrossed House Joint Resolution No. 4204, pp 3143-3145. Approved November 6, 2007. 2007 voters' pamphlet (statewide version). |
| 102 | Art. XVI, Sec. 6 |
Investment of higher education permanent funds |
2007 Substitute House Joint Resolution No. 4215, p 3145. Approved November 6, 2007. 2007 voters' pamphlet (statewide version). |
| 103 | Art. VIII, Sec. 1 |
State debt |
2010 Senate Joint Resolution No. 8225, p 3129-3132. Approved November 2, 2010. 2010 voters' pamphlet. |
| 104 | Art. I, Sec. 20 |
Bail, when authorized |
2010 Engrossed Substitute House Joint Resolution No. 4220, p 3129. Approved November 2, 2010. 2010 voters' pamphlet. |
| 105 | Art. VI, Sec. 1A | Voter qualifications for presidential elections (repealed) | 2011 Senate Joint Resolution No. 8205, p 4281. Approved November 8, 2011. 2011 voters' pamphlet. |
| 106 | Art. VII, Sec. 12 |
Budget stabilization account |
2011 Senate Joint Resolution No. 8206, p 4281-4283. Approved November 8, 2011. 2011 voters' pamphlet. |
| 107 | Art. VII, Sec. 1 |
State debt |
2012 Engrossed Senate Joint Resolution No. 8221, p 2429-2432. Approved November 6, 2012.
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