Poll shows support fading for I-747

Associated Press

OLYMPIA — Only 47 percent of registered voters surveyed in a new poll said they support Initiative 747, a low point for any of Tim Eyman’s tax-reducing ballot measures.

But opponents of the initiative still face bleak prospects. Only 35 percent of the 400 registered voters surveyed in the Elway Poll said they were against I-747, which would limit the growth of property tax levies to 1 percent per year unless local voters approved larger increases. About 19 percent said they were undecided.

"It’s still 12 points ahead," said Stuart Elway, the independent pollster who publishes the Elway Report. "I don’t think it’s going to lose by itself."

In a similar poll taken last month, 55 percent said they were either definitely for or strongly for I-747, with 30 percent against and 15 percent undecided.

Eyman shrugged off Elway’s numbers, noting that the pollster produced similar figures before Initiative 695 passed handily in 1999. I-695 was later thrown out by the courts, as was Eyman’s second tax-reducing proposal, Initiative 722.

"His polls always show softer support than we get on Election Day," Eyman said. "To vote no on 747 is to continue to have skyrocketing property taxes in the state of Washington."

But Eyman’s opponents hailed the poll as evidence that their message was getting through even before a new television campaign started. They contend I-747’s tax growth limitation would force drastic cutbacks in vital public services such as firefighting.

"It just shows that people are paying attention to the impacts of this thing and they’re running away from it," said Christian Sinderman, a spokesman for the No On 747 Committee.

Elway’s most recent poll was taken Oct. 16, 17 and 18. People surveyed were read the ballot title and asked, "As things stand today, which of the following best describes you:" and then invited to choose among definitely for, probably for, probably against and definitely against. The survey has a sampling error of 5 percent.

Elway said the erosion of support is typical of Eyman’s past initiatives, I-695 and I-722, which started out with more than 60 percent support, then dwindled somewhat before Election Day.

"As time goes on and they hear about it, they migrate over to undecided and then to no," Elway said.

However, don’t be surprised if there’s a sizable difference between Elway’s numbers and the results on Election Day. The biggest wild card? There’s no "undecided" box on the ballot. Those voters have to go somewhere, and Eyman expects to get his share.

A few weeks before the 1999 election, I-695’s support in the Elway Poll dipped to 52 percent among registered voters. Another poll Elway conducted for The Seattle Times among likely voters found only 46 percent supported the initiative to abolish the hated car-tab tax and require a public vote for most tax and fee increases. It passed with 56 percent of the vote.

Looking back, Elway says likely voters were the wrong people to sample for I-695, because the initiative unexpectedly pulled occasional voters to the polls.

"We were underrepresenting the actual electorate who showed up on Election Day," Elway said. "That was one of those rare cases when an initiative pulled people to the polls."

In his most recent survey, Elway says, the results among registered voters and likely voters are almost identical.

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.