Not only will you be voting for a new president in November (finally!), but a few new measures have been added to the local ballot.

Initiative 1000—the "Death with Dignity" initiative—has made it on the state-wide ballot after amassing 224,880 valid petition signatures.

Washington voters will have their say on the controversial topic of assisted suicide and whether or not to allow terminally ill people to obtain a fatal prescription to end their own lives. In 1991 a broader initiative about assisted suicide failed in Washington, however that initiative (119) included legalizing physician-assisted euthanasia. Initiative 1000 specifically bans what they identify as euthanasia and lethal injections. We're firm believers in the right to die with dignity, so we hope this initiative, with it's clearer guidelines and boundaries, is more suitable to Washington voters.

Also on your November ballot will be a $17.9 billion Sound Transit measure, aimed at funding extended light rail service to King County and the surrounding areas. The proposed funding would be collected over the next 15 years through (you guessed it) increased sales tax. If passed, it would also help fund more buses between Everett and Seattle/Bellevue, as well as expanding the Sounder train service between Pierce County and Seattle. Sure, $17 billion seems steep but, as Katelyn points out, all we need to do is sell a small slice of the Olympics and all our public transportation problems could be solved...no tax increase needed!

And of course, because it wouldn't be a Washington election without one, Tim Eyman's latest initiative will also be included on your November ballot.

"approved or rejected" by Seattest Flickr photographer Andrea