The Latest Breaking News from The Washington Supreme Court

States are recruiting poll workers for November. Here's what they require.

Welcome to the Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, Brew.

Ballotpedia · Sep 24

Washington Supreme Court overturns natural gas initiative approved by voters in 2024

On Sept. 17, 2026, the Washington Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved initiative on natural gas regulations, ruling it violated the state constitution's single-subject rule.

Ballotpedia · Sep 19

Washington voters to decide on an initiative to repeal legislation establishing an income tax for households earning over $1 million and ban income taxes in general

Voters in Washington will decide on a ballot measure that would repeal legislation establishing an income tax for certain households and ban income taxes altogether on Nov. 3, 2026.

Ballotpedia · Jul 18

Second Amendment Roundup: Washington Supreme Court Upholds Mag Ban

It’s déjà vu all over again.

Reason · May 15, 2025

Washington high court to decide if Seattle officers who attended Jan. 6 rally can remain anonymous

The Washington Supreme Court is considering a case that will determine whether the names of four Seattle police officers who attended events in Washington, D

The Independent UK · Jun 25, 2024

Second Amendment Roundup: Injunction Against Washington Magazine Ban Stayed Within Minutes

The stay was issued without time to review the opinion and the motion to stay, and without allowing an opposition brief.

Reason · Apr 12, 2024

My Contribution to Brennan Center Symposium on the Most Significant State Constitutional Cases of 2023

I focus on the Washington Supreme Court's flawed decision holding an eviction moratorium is not a taking of private property.

Reason · Dec 19, 2023

Solicitation of Crime and "Things of Value" (Plus a Mother-of-the-Year Candidate)

State v. Valdiglesias Lavalle, decided Thursday by the Washington Supreme Court (in a unanimous opinion written by Justice Sheryl Gordon McCloud), involved Washington's criminal solicitation law, which makes it a crime to, with intent to promote or facilitate the commission of a crime, … offer[] to give or give[] money…

Reason · Oct 3, 2023

A Study Finds 'No Evidence' That Decriminalization Boosted Drug-Related Deaths in Oregon

The researchers reached a similar conclusion about overdose trends in Washington, where penalties for simple possession were reduced in 2021.

Reason · Sep 27, 2023

The Lower Court "Found that [Defense Lawyer's] Comments Played on Stereotypes About the 'Angry Black Woman'"

"and the 'victimhood' of white women." "In support of its decision, the court ... pointed to defense counsel's description of Henderson as 'quite combative' on the witness stand and her description of Thompson as 'intimidated and emotional about the process.'"

Reason · Jun 30, 2023