Washington Voters Reject I-645, Preserving Funding for Childcare and School Meals 

Washington Voters Reject I-645, Preserving Funding for Childcare and School Meals

SEATTLE (Nov. 4, 2026) — Save the Children Action Network (SCAN), the political voice for kids, applauds Washington voters for rejecting Initiative 645 (I-645), preserving funding for childcare and early learning and helping safeguard the expansion of free school meals for Washington students. 

“Last night, Washington voters stood up for kids and families,” said SCAN Washington State Manager Natasha Fecteau Minger. “Families are already struggling with the high cost of childcare and making ends meet. By rejecting I-645, voters kept Washington moving toward more affordable childcare, stronger early learning and greater access to nutritious meals. Now we will build on this victory and work with state leaders to give every Washington child a strong start in life.” 

The vote preserves Washington’s recently enacted tax on annual incomes above $1 million, maintaining a new source of revenue as the state confronts budget pressures that have already resulted in cuts and delays to childcare and early learning programs. 

With I-645 defeated, SCAN will work with Governor Ferguson, lawmakers, families and early learning providers to ensure children’s needs are at the center of Washington’s budget and policy decisions. SCAN will prioritize expanding quality early learning and protecting programs and supports families need to give children a strong start. 

SCAN contacted thousands of voters through a strategic direct voter contact program that included handwritten postcards, phone calls, text messages, relational organizing and community education events. 

The result builds on SCAN’s longstanding work advocacy for Washington’s children and families. In 2024, SCAN was part of an advocacy coalition that helped defeat I-2109, another ballot initiative that threatened early learning investments across the state.

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Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) was created in 2014 as the political advocacy arm of Save the Children, to be the political voice for kids. We work to ensure that issues critical to children’s lives and futures are given top priority by elected leaders, building support to make sure every child has a strong start in life. 

Learn more about SCAN at savethechildrenactionnetwork.org⁠. 

Media Contact: media@savechildren.org