Even though we're enjoying the balmy breezes and soothing sun of summer, cooler weather, and with it the political season, will be arriving all too soon. On top of choosing among candidates for president, senator, governor and the state legislature, voters will face a bewildering array of ballot initiatives. And while judging the character, positions and just plain believability of a given politician can be a real challenge, getting the basic facts on initiatives is fairly straightforward. To help keep it all straight, here is a rundown of the five state-wide measures voters will see on the ballot this fall.

Initiative 872, primary elections. The courts have struck down Washington's open primary system, ruling that it interfered with the right of political parties to choose their own candidates. In response, the legislature earlier this year enacted a “Montana-style” system, in which voters can only vote for candidates from one political party in the primary. Voting remains private; political parties will not be notified of who voted for their candidates. Under this system one candidate from each party automatically advances to the general election.

Initiative 872, sponsored by the Washington State Grange, would replace the “Montana-style” system with a “top-two” primary system. Similar to an open primary, voters would be able to select among all candidates, regardless of party. Only the top two vote-getting candidates would advance to the general election. Under this system, the two candidates appearing on the general election ballot might both be from the same party.

Initiative 884, $1 billion for education. This initiative, sponsored by the Seattle-based League of Education Voters, would increase the state sales tax by 15%, raising the tax rate from 6.5% to 7.5%. The increase would make Washington's state sales tax the highest in the nation. When combined with local sales taxes, the levy on purchases would total almost 10% in many cities and counties.

The projected $1 billion would be in addition to the $9.2 billion the state and school districts currently spend on education each year. The new money would be allocated as follows: $500 million to kindergarten through 12th grade education, $400 million to higher education and $100 million to preschool education. The funds would be used to reduce class sizes, provide raises for school employees, give bonuses to teachers who receive additional training, fund expanded education programs and create 25,000 new enrollment spots at state universities and colleges.

Initiative 892, expanded gambling and lower property taxes. Sponsor Tim Eyman wants to allow licensed non-Indian gambling organizations (like restaurants, taverns, bowling alleys, horse racing tracks and card rooms) to operate electronic scratch ticket machines. A 35% tax on profits from the machines would be used dollar for dollar to lower the state property tax levy in 2007 and in each subsequent year.

Initiative 297, ban out-of-state nuclear waste. Under this initiative, mixed hazardous wastes from non-Hanford (i.e. out of state) sites could not be treated or stored at Hanford Nuclear Reservation until existing contamination there is cleaned up. The waste currently on-site would have to be treated or disposed of in compliance with state and federal law before any new waste could be brought in.

Referendum 55, confirm charter school law. This measure is being sponsored by the teachers union, the Washington Education Association, under a procedure that allows voters to confirm or veto a law passed by the legislature. In March the legislature authorized the creation of 45 charter schools over six years, mostly targeted at helping disadvantaged students. School districts were to begin reviewing proposals to open the new schools on June 10th, but all local plans have been shelved pending the outcome of this referendum.

Charter schools are public schools run by independent nonprofit groups and are exempt from many of the state and federal regulations that govern traditional public schools. They are funded by public money and do not charge tuition. Charter schools cannot pick and choose their students, but they do have more autonomy to manage their own educational programs. Charter schools must meet pre-set academic standards and can be closed if test results show students aren't learning. Forty states and the District of Columbia currently have laws allowing charter schools.

Union leaders say charter schools siphon needed money away from traditional public schools. Education reformers say charter schools use their greater freedom to operate more efficiently and offer choice and flexibility to parents and students.

Referendum 55 is somewhat confusing because charter school opponents sponsor it. A “yes” vote on the referendum would confirm the new law and allow charter schools; a “no” vote would veto the law and retain the current ban on charter schools.

More information on the 2004 ballot initiatives, as well as the voting records of all state representatives and senators, is available WashingtonVotes.org, a free non-partisan legislative informational website.