When voters pass judgment on Initiatives 1100 and 1105 it will be the sixth and seventh time they've been asked to weigh in on the state's liquor laws since 1932 (many more were filed but didn't qualify for the ballot). It was also be the first time since 1972 voters will have the opportunity to end the state's liquor monopoly.

Here is a brief rundown of the previous liquor initiatives:

INITIATIVE MEASURE NO. 61 (Relating to Intoxicating Liquors): Filed January 9, 1932. Submitted to the voters at the state general election held on November 8, 1932 and approved by the following vote: For - 341,450; Against - 208,211. Act is now identified as Chapter 2, Laws of 1933.

INITIATIVE TO THE LEGISLATURE NO. 13 (Restricting Sales of Beer and Wine to State Liquor Stores): Filed August 23, 1946. Signatures were filed on January 3, 1947 and found sufficient. The 1947 Legislature failed to take action, and as provided by the state constitution, the measure was submitted to the voters at the November 2, 1948 state general election. It was rejected by the following vote: For - 208,337; Against - 602,141.

INITIATIVE MEASURE NO. 171 (Providing Liquor by the Drink with Certain Restrictions): Filed January 19, 1948. Signature petitions filed July 7, 1948 and found sufficient. Submitted to the voters at the state general election held on November 2, 1948 and approved by the following vote: For - 416,227; Against - 373,418. Act is now identified as Chapter 5, Laws of 1949. 

INITIATIVE MEASURE NO. 205 (Authorizing Tavern Spirituous Liquor Licenses): Filed January 8, 1960. Signature petitions filed July 8, 1960 and found sufficient. Submitted to the voters at the November 8, 1960 state general election and rejected by the following vote: For - 357,455; Against - 799,643.

INITIATIVE MEASURE NO. 261 (Liquor Sales by Licensed Retailers): Filed January 10, 1972 by Warren B. McPherson and Robert B. Gould of Seattle. 122,241 signatures were filed on July 7, 1972 and found sufficient. Measure submitted to the voters at the November 7, 1972 state general election and rejected by the following vote: For - 634,973; Against - 779,568.

It will be interesting to see if voters' attitudes have changed since the 1972 vote. Many of the same arguments are being made today. From the 1972 voters' guide:

In support of I-261: "The state should not be in a retail business. The state can and should provide many needed services for its citizens--fire and police protection, schools and parks, to name a few. It is through a historical accident that the State of Washington is in a retail business. There is no reason why retailers who sell beer and wine for off-premises consumption should not be allowed to sell liquor for off-premises consumption."

In opposition of I-261: "The State Liquor System belongs to YOU, the Citizens of Washington. It is worth millions. Initiative 261 would give it away to private interests. Your state system has produced $27.6 million in profits in fiscal year 1971 to alleviate other state and local taxes. This $27.6 million would be pocketed by private interests, and you, the taxpayers, would have to make it up by paying additional taxes."

Washington is not alone in the debate of whether to repeal its liquor monopoly. Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is hoping to end his state's "outdated government monopoly for distilled spirits sales and distribution, and create a free-market and private-sector delivery of a service, which is not a core-function of state government.”

We'll be publishing our analysis of Initiatives 1100 and 1105 in the coming weeks.