The final election results are in! Sure the percentages haven't changed much since our initial reporting, but now that the results have been certified, we can actually say what passed and what failed.
All local ballot measures passed except the one charging landlords to cover free legal assistance for people facing eviction. The closest race, involving ambitious plan to repair sidewalks, ultimately passed delivering a major win to sidewalk advocates.
Here's the full rundown:
✅ Here's what passed:
♻ Initiated Ordinance 306: The one requiring recycling and composting:
This measure passed with almost 71% of the vote. It requires apartment complexes, restaurants, office buildings and other businesses to offer recycling and composting.
??♀️ Initiated Ordinance 307: The one building more sidewalks through fees on property owners:
This one was close, but ultimately won with almost 56% of the vote. It's an ambitious plan to charge homeowners to repair city sidewalks. Fees range from $2.15 per linear foot on a residential street to $4.30 per linear foot on downtown streets, based on how much property faces a street. You can read all about the woman who made it happen here.
? Referred Question 2I: The one about a tax for library funding:
Increased library funding passed with almost 68% of voters saying yes. Libraries will get $36 million more in funding for higher wages, expanded hours, additional programming and more, funded by raised property taxes.
? Referred Question 2J: The one about the climate sales tax:
This measure won with about 70% of the vote, allowing the city to keep an excess $1.3 million gathered in sales tax revenue for fighting the climate crisis and economic disparity.
? Referred Question 2K: The one funding homelessness programs:
Almost 71% of voters approved this one. This lets the city keep an excess $1.3 million from a sales tax aimed at funding programs to support people experiencing homelessness.
? Referred Question 2L: The one looking to "modernize" election procedures:
This measure passed with around 80% of the vote. The measure requires citizen-led ballot initiatives to focus on one subject and make that clear in its title. It also allows petitioners to file an initiated ordinance at any time, giving more time to gather signatures.
❌ Here's what failed:
? Initiated Ordinance 305: The one providing eviction defense by charging landlords a fee:
This lost, with almost 58% of voters saying no. The ordinance would have charged landlords $75 per property to go towards free legal assistance to people facing eviction.
And now, we turn our sights to the spring mayoral election, which as of this week, is up to 21 candidates...
