Election Results: Washington Says Yes to Libraries!

Voters across Washington made their voices heard on Tuesday, August 5th, in support of public libraries.

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Ballot measures to fund essential library services passed for the Whatcom County Library System, Kitsap Regional Library, and Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, each with a strong majority.

These levies will directly support operating costs, staffing, programs, and access to information for hundreds of thousands of residents, collectively.

(The vote totals included below are as of this writing on Wednesday, August 6th. Under state law, each county has 21 days to certify its results.)

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Kitsap Regional Library Proposition 1 - Passed with 59.63% of the vote

Kitsap voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 1 to reset the library’s property tax levy from $0.27 to $0.39 per $1,000 of assessed value, effective in 2026. This increase - estimated at an additional $60 annually for a home valued at $500,000 - will help Kitsap Regional Library meet growing demands for services while staying below the state-allowed maximum levy. Long-time EveryLibrary board member Jeannie Allen is the Director of Strategy & Communications at KRL. She ran an impressive community-wide information-only campaign over the past year leading up to the vote. This effort built upon ongoing communications and community engagement projects from its 2017 award-winning levy campaign, which we were proud to support.

Vote Totals: Yes - 27,025 (59.63%) | No - 18,295 (40.37%)

Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Proposition 1 - Passed with 52.98% of the vote

Fort Vancouver voters approved a restoration levy that brings the rate back to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. The levy provides 96% of the library district’s revenue, supporting everything from staffing and open hours to digital resources and public Wi-Fi. Without this funding, the library faced deep cuts to services in 2026. For the average homeowner, the cost will be about $200 per year.

Vote Totals: Yes - 39,208 (52.98%) | No - 34,804 (47.02%)

Whatcom County Library System Levy - Passed with 55.66% of the vote

Voters approved restoring the property tax levy rate from $0.26 to $0.42 per $1,000 of assessed value - matching the rate previously approved by voters in 2009. Without the levy, Whatcom County Library System anticipated a deficit of over $1 million in the coming year. The approved increase will help maintain daily operations and avoid service reductions.

Vote Totals: Yes - 14,751 (55.66%) | No - 11,750 (44.34%)

A monthly donation of just $1 helps us secure nearly $20,000 in stable library funding each year through our support for library ballot measures.

Behind the Wins: The Tireless Effort of Information Campaigns and Ballot Committees

The success of the recent library levy elections in Whatcom, Kitsap, and Fort Vancouver didn’t happen by chance. They were the result of months of thoughtful planning, tireless organizing, and deeply rooted community engagement from both the informational campaigns and the ballot committees.

Each library was committed to an informational campaign of clarity and transparency. Their websites served as hubs of accessible, detailed information about the ballot measures. Each one clearly outlines what passage or failure would mean, highlighting the historical context of their funding, and proactively addressing community questions through comprehensive FAQs.

Library leaders prioritized multi-channel communication strategies, ensuring consistent outreach through websites, newsletters, social media, and in-person interactions. They made themselves available to host info sessions, attend local meetings, and keep information front and center at library locations.

At the same time, the local “vote yes” ballot committees stepped up. Supporters were strategic, community-driven, and committed to accuracy and integrity when advocating for their libraries. From eye-catching yard signs and banners to volunteer-powered information tables and campaign shirts, their presence was visible and energized. Their efforts reached into neighborhoods, farmers markets, street corners, and community events, bringing the message to where people already were.

These victories were built on a foundation of trust, transparency, and teamwork. Voters responded to the wealth of information made available and the genuine, organized efforts of community members rallying behind their libraries. The results speak for themselves, but the real story is in the work. These elections are proof that success is possible with transparent leadership, creative strategy, and just a little elbow grease… and a decent pair of walking shoes.

Standing with Libraries - Now and Always

EveryLibrary supported these efforts through a range of engagement - offering resources and training materials to two of the library systems during the planning phase, and delivering in-person training and strategic consultation to library leadership, staff, and ballot committee members in Whatcom County.

From helping library leaders communicate with clarity to equipping communities with the tools to organize effectively, our mission is to ensure that every library has a fair shot at the ballot box.

This kind of work doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s powered by a national network of advocates and donors who believe in the essential role libraries play in our democracy and daily lives. Together, we can keep winning for libraries - and for the people they serve.

If you believe in building stronger communities through well-funded libraries, we invite you to be part of this movement.

Make a contribution today.