Top 5 ballot initiatives you've never heard of

To be perfectly honest, there are only *five* state ballot initiatives this year -- but we're betting that you, like us, haven't exactly studied up on the issues yet. Of all the items on the ballot, initiatives can be the most frustrating and complicated votes to cast because, even if you have studied the issue, it's not always clear what happens when you vote Yes or No. Did I just approve spending that money or deny it? Don't guess. Guessing in the voting booth is bad. Fortunately, the League of Women Voters can get you all the facts and, best of all, give you points to consider both pro and con for each initiative.

• LWV's Ballot Issues 2005
• LWV's Simplified Ballot Issues 2005 (our favorite -- the Cliffs Notes version for voters with busy lifestyles!)

BTW, these are the fascinating five this year:

1. Initiative 330: Limiting Recovery for Malpractice Claims and Imposing other Restrictions
2. Initiative 336: Medical Malpractice Reform, Health Care Provider Licensing and Consumer Rights
3. Initiative 900: Relating to Performance Audits
4. Initiative 901: Prohibiting Secondhand Smoke in Public Places and Places of Employment
5. Initiative 912: Repealing the Gas Tax Increase

Right now, we plan to vote Yes 3 times. Once we study the LWV guide a little more, we'll decide on which ones.

-- j

Tags: uptown, seattle, 2005election, initiatives, leagueofwomenvoters