I-1000 will prevent discrimination in public hiring and wage practices, prevent discrimination in public education, and ensure government contracts are awarded fairly. This initiative is intended to overturn the damage done by Washington voters in 1998, when they narrowly passed an initiative that barred public institutions such as state colleges from considering race or ethnicity as factors in hiring or admissions decisions. When underrepresented people in our community are denied chances to succeed in our workplaces, those lost opportunities hold us all back.

I-1000 is an initiative to the legislature, so the legislature can do one of three things: 1) pass it outright; 2) do nothing, which will send it to the ballot; or 3) pass their own version, which sends both to the ballot. We want the first option! Call your Washington state legislators and ask them to pass I-1000 now to ensure fair access to better wages, education, and contracts!

ACTION: Tell WA legislators to pass I-1000 now!

Call the Washington State Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 (TTY for Hearing Impaired 800.833.6388). They will ask for your address, and leave a message for your state senator and legislators.

Suggested Script:

“Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m calling from [PLACE] to ask my legislators to pass I-1000 now! This initiative will ensure fair access to better wages, education, and government contracts for all of us in Washington State. Please pass this initiative before the end of this legislative session.”

Background:

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/pass-i-1000-to-restore-affirmative-action/

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/urge-wa-state-legislators-to-pass-initiative-1000/