Five Supreme Court seats, three initiatives, and one income tax connecting them.
Every statewide contest on your November 3, 2026 Washington ballot: all five contested state Supreme Court seats, each with its own spread, and all three initiatives, including the repeal of the new tax on incomes over $1 million, in plain language and with nobody telling you how to vote.
- Both sides, no spin
- All five court races
- Sourced & cited
- Instant PDF download
The strongest case for each side
For every court race and all three initiatives, the best honest argument each way. Equal space, no endorsement.
Why the court races and the tax are linked
Even if voters keep the income tax, a challenge is expected to reach the Supreme Court, and five of its nine seats are on this ballot. We explain the connection.
Read IL26-001 carefully
A yes restores the 2024 parents' rights law as first passed, but it also removes some rights added in 2025. We spell out both.
Sourced, not spun
Every factual claim is tied to reporting and official records, listed at the back.
What's inside
Five Supreme Court seats and three initiatives.
Supreme Court, Position 1
Appointed Justice Colleen Melody against tax lawyer Scott Edwards.
Supreme Court, Position 3
Judges David Stevens and Jaime Hawk, in the sharpest contrast in judicial philosophy on the ballot.
Supreme Court, Position 4
Appeals Judge Ian Birk against trial Judge Sean O'Donnell, with coalitions that cross party lines.
Supreme Court, Position 5
Appointed Justice Theo Angelis against former Judge Dave Larson, in the closest primary of the five.
Supreme Court, Position 7
Chief Justice Debra L. Stephens against attorney and accountant Todd Bloom.
IL26-001
Parents' rights in public schools, and why a yes doesn't mean more rights on every point.
IL26-638
Girls' school sports, and sex verification for girls' teams.
IP26-645
Repealing the 9.9% tax on individual income over $1 million.
Get the full 2026 Washington Voter Guide
Five Supreme Court seats and all three initiatives. Instant PDF download.
Get the guide · $7.99What format is it?
A PDF you download the moment you buy. Read it on your phone or computer, or print it to take to the polls.
Is it partisan?
No. PolitiGeist is independent and makes no endorsement in any race or on any initiative. The point is the strongest case for both sides.
What does it cover?
All five contested Washington Supreme Court seats (Positions 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7) and Initiatives IL26-001, IL26-638 and IP26-645. There's no U.S. Senate race and no statewide executive office on the ballot this year, and Court of Appeals races are by district. U.S. House, legislative, and local races aren't included.
Why are justices who won a majority in August still on the ballot?
A 2013 change in state law means the top two primary finishers always advance to November, even when one of them won a majority.