Decoding the I-645 ballot: who wrote the wording, what 'yes' means and whether it reaches your 401(k)

Neighbors have posted hundreds of comments about Initiative 645 this week, asking who wrote the ballot wording, what a yes vote means and whether the tax reaches 401(k)s. [Sound Neighbors explained I-645 on Oct. 13](/story-2026-10-13-i-645-capital-gains-ballot). Here are answers to the new questions.

Who wrote it? Under state law, the Attorney General's Office writes ballot titles, not the sponsor. A 2022 law also adds a disclosure listing the services that would lose funding. The sponsor, Let's Go Washington, challenged that sentence, but Thurston County Superior Court Judge Chris Lanese ruled it neutral on Aug. 7, The Seattle Times reported.

Yes or no. A yes vote repeals the 9.9% tax on income over $1 million before it starts in 2028 and bars state and local income taxes. A no vote keeps the tax on schedule.

Retirement income. Pension checks and 401(k) withdrawals count toward income, but only income above a $1 million household deduction is taxed, not account balances. As an illustration (not an official figure), a retired couple with $150,000 in retirement income would owe nothing.

Your ballot. Track it at VoteWA.gov. Sound Neighbors found no official report of uncounted 2024 ballots. Drop boxes close 8 p.m. Nov. 3.