Wash. Rev. Code » Title 29A · Chapter 29A.36
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.36.071 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) Except as provided to the contrary in RCW 82.14.036, 82.46.021, or 82.80.090, the ballot title of any referendum filed on an enactment or portion of an enactment of a local government and any other question submitted to the voters of a local government consists of three elements: (a) An identification of the enacting legislative body and a statement of the subject matter; (b) a concise description of the measure; and (c) a question. The ballot title must conform with the requirements and be displayed substantially as provided under RCW 29A.72.050, except that the concise description must not exceed seventy-five words; however, a concise description submitted on behalf of a proposed or existing regional transportation investment district or a proposed fire protection district, as provided in RCW 52.02.160, may exceed seventy-five words. If the local governmental unit is a city or a town, or if the ballot title is for a referendum under RCW 35.13A.115, the concise statement must be prepared by the city or town attorney. If the local governmental unit is a county, the concise statement must be prepared by the prosecuting attorney of the county. If the unit is a unit of local government other than a city, town, or county, the concise statement must be prepared by the prosecuting attorney of the county within which the majority area of the unit is located.
(2) A referendum measure on the enactment of a unit of local government must be advertised in the manner provided for nominees for elective office.
(3) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply if another provision of law specifies the ballot title for a specific type of ballot question or proposition.
[ 2017 c 328 s 4; 2015 c 172 s 3; 2006 c 311 s 9; 2004 c 271 s 169.]

Notes:

Findings—2006 c 311: See note following RCW 36.120.020.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6 cases, 2012–2018 · leading case: Mukilteo Citizens v. City of Mukilteo, 272 P.3d 227 (Wash. 2012).
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Mukilteo Citizens v. City of Mukilteo, 272 P.3d 227 (Wash. 2012). “[4] Pursuant to RCW 29A.36.071(1), in a ballot title for a local measure, including referenda and any other question submitted to the voters, "[t]he ballot title must conform with the requirements and be displayed substantially as provided under RCW 29A.”
End Prison Indus. Complex v. King Cnty., 431 P.3d 998 (Wash. 2018). · cites it 4× “RCW 29A.36.071 ; RCW 29A.72.050. A ballot title for a levy lid lift must meet certain additional requirements.”
Yes For Early Success v. Seattle & King Cnty., Respondent's (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 12× “Following argument, the court entered an order and memorandum opinion concluding that 1-107 and Ordinance 124509 both dealt with the same subject, that the general laws of Washington controlled over any conflicting provisions of the City's Charter, and that RCW 29A.36.071…”
Yes for Early Success v. City of Seattle, 334 P.3d 59 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 11× “Following argument, the court entered an order and memorandum opinion concluding that 1-107 and Ordinance 124509 both dealt with the same subject, that the general laws of Washington controlled over any conflicting provisions of the City’s charter, and that RCW 29A.36.071…”
End Prison Indus. Complex v. King Cnty. (Wash. 2018). · cites it 4× “090 permits anybody to object to the ballot title of a county measure, which is publicly available at the county auditor's office as per RCW 29A.”
End Prison Indus. Complex v. King Cnty. (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “RCW 29A.36.071(1)(a)-(c). Also, RCW 29A.72.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.36.071(1) — 5 cases
Mukilteo Citizens v. City of Mukilteo, 272 P.3d 227 (Wash. 2012). “[4] Pursuant to RCW 29A.36.071(1), in a ballot title for a local measure, including referenda and any other question submitted to the voters, "[t]he ballot title must conform with the requirements and be displayed substantially as provided under RCW 29A.”
End Prison Indus. Complex v. King Cnty., 431 P.3d 998 (Wash. 2018). “RCW 29A.36.071 ; RCW 29A.72.050. A ballot title for a levy lid lift must meet certain additional requirements.”
End Prison Indus. Complex v. King Cnty. (Wash. 2018). “090 permits anybody to object to the ballot title of a county measure, which is publicly available at the county auditor's office as per RCW 29A.”
Yes For Early Success v. Seattle & King Cnty., Respondent's (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “Following argument, the court entered an order and memorandum opinion concluding that 1-107 and Ordinance 124509 both dealt with the same subject, that the general laws of Washington controlled over any conflicting provisions of the City's Charter, and that RCW 29A.36.071…”
Yes for Early Success v. City of Seattle, 334 P.3d 59 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “Following argument, the court entered an order and memorandum opinion concluding that 1-107 and Ordinance 124509 both dealt with the same subject, that the general laws of Washington controlled over any conflicting provisions of the City’s charter, and that RCW 29A.36.071…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.36.071(1)(2012) — 1 case
End Prison Indus. Complex v. King Cnty. (Wash. 2018). “090 permits anybody to object to the ballot title of a county measure, which is publicly available at the county auditor's office as per RCW 29A.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.36.071(1)(a) — 1 case
End Prison Indus. Complex v. King Cnty. (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). “RCW 29A.36.071(1)(a)-(c). Also, RCW 29A.72.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.36.071(1)(c) — 2 cases
Yes For Early Success v. Seattle & King Cnty., Respondent's (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “Following argument, the court entered an order and memorandum opinion concluding that 1-107 and Ordinance 124509 both dealt with the same subject, that the general laws of Washington controlled over any conflicting provisions of the City's Charter, and that RCW 29A.36.071…”
Yes for Early Success v. City of Seattle, 334 P.3d 59 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “Following argument, the court entered an order and memorandum opinion concluding that 1-107 and Ordinance 124509 both dealt with the same subject, that the general laws of Washington controlled over any conflicting provisions of the City’s charter, and that RCW 29A.36.071…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.36.071(3) — 2 cases
Yes For Early Success v. Seattle & King Cnty., Respondent's (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “Following argument, the court entered an order and memorandum opinion concluding that 1-107 and Ordinance 124509 both dealt with the same subject, that the general laws of Washington controlled over any conflicting provisions of the City's Charter, and that RCW 29A.36.071…”
Yes for Early Success v. City of Seattle, 334 P.3d 59 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “Following argument, the court entered an order and memorandum opinion concluding that 1-107 and Ordinance 124509 both dealt with the same subject, that the general laws of Washington controlled over any conflicting provisions of the City’s charter, and that RCW 29A.36.071…”
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