City of SeaTac Proposition No. 1 — Fire Prevention and Criminal Justice Sales and Use Tax (King County)

What it does

The City Council of the City of SeaTac passed Ordinance No. 26-1017 concerning funding for public safety and other City services. If approved, this proposition would increase the City’s sales and use tax rate by 1/10th of 1% (0.1%) to provide funding for public safety services, including but not limited to, fire protection, fire prevention and emergency medical response; law enforcement support and staffing and retention; criminal justice purposes; public safety operations, maintenance and capital; and other public safety operations and services authorized under RCW 82.14.450. Should this proposition be approved?

A YES vote means

SeaTac's sales tax would rise by 0.1% to fund public safety, including fire protection and prevention, emergency medical response, law enforcement and criminal justice.

A NO vote means

SeaTac's sales tax would not rise by 0.1%.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

King County Elections' explanatory statement says SeaTac's daily visitor population is more than six times its residential population.

Per the explanatory statement, the tax would add $0.10 to each $100 purchase, with revenue shared 85% to the City and 15% to King County, and most groceries exempt.

The statement notes that under RCW 82.14.450 at least one-third of the revenue must go to fire protection and/or criminal justice purposes.

The voters' pamphlet carries a statement for the measure (James Lovell, Damiana Merryweather) and a statement against (Susan Constable), each with a rebuttal.

Put on the ballot by SeaTac City Council, passed July 14, 2026 (Ordinance No. 26-1017).

From official source 1, official source 2.

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on King County ballots

• City of Shoreline Proposition No. 1 — Formation of the Shoreline Metropolitan Park District
• City of Kenmore Proposition No. 1 — Climate & Environmental Stewardship, Affordable Housing, and Human Services Levy
• City of Lake Forest Park Proposition No. 1 — Public Safety Services Levy Lid Lift
• City of Issaquah Proposition No. 1 — Parks and Open Space Bonds
• City of Clyde Hill Proposition No. 1 — Levy to Continue Providing Public Safety and Land Use Services in Clyde Hill
• City of Seattle Proposition No. 1 — Seattle Transit Measure

All King County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of SeaTac Proposition No. 1 mean?

SeaTac's sales tax would rise by 0.1% to fund public safety, including fire protection and prevention, emergency medical response, law enforcement and criminal justice.

What does a NO vote on City of SeaTac Proposition No. 1 mean?

SeaTac's sales tax would not rise by 0.1%.

How many votes does City of SeaTac Proposition No. 1 need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on City of SeaTac Proposition No. 1?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.