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Washington Tax Petition Faces Fraud Allegations

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Monday, February 23rd 2026 at 19:26 GMT by GeekWire
      Locales: Washington, UNITED STATES

OLYMPIA, WA - February 24, 2026 - A growing controversy surrounds a petition aimed at repealing Washington state's recently enacted tax on high earners, with allegations of fraudulent sign-in practices threatening its validity. The Evergreen Accountability Project, a Seattle-based watchdog group, has released a detailed report claiming evidence of widespread manipulation of the petition signatures, raising serious questions about the true level of public opposition to the tax.

The 1% tax on annual income exceeding $1 million, passed last year, has been a subject of intense debate since its inception. Proponents tout it as a crucial source of funding for vital childcare and early learning programs, arguing it represents a necessary step towards a more equitable state budget. Opponents, primarily representing high-income earners and business interests, contend the tax will drive wealth and investment out of Washington, harming the state's economic competitiveness.

The petition, spearheaded by a coalition of anti-tax groups, rapidly gathered signatures, with organizers publicly claiming broad grassroots support and the potential to trigger a statewide referendum on the tax's future. However, the Evergreen Accountability Project's investigation alleges a calculated effort to inflate these numbers through the submission of fraudulent signatures.

"Our team meticulously analyzed a substantial sample of the submitted signatures, and the findings are deeply concerning," explained Sarah Miller, lead investigator for the Evergreen Accountability Project, during a press conference earlier today. "We identified a significant number of duplicate entries - individuals signing the petition multiple times using the same name and address. Even more alarming, we uncovered a considerable volume of signatures originating from individuals residing outside of Washington state."

The report details specific examples, including instances of identical signatures appearing dozens of times across different counties, and a substantial number of signatures linked to addresses in California, Oregon, Texas, and even states further afield. The group alleges this suggests a coordinated campaign to artificially boost the petition's numbers, potentially deceiving voters and election officials.

The allegations have prompted a formal review by the Washington State Secretary of State's office. A spokesperson confirmed they are treating the claims seriously and have initiated a thorough audit of all submitted signatures. "The integrity of our election processes is paramount," the spokesperson stated. "We are committed to ensuring that any petition meeting the threshold for a referendum represents the genuine will of Washington state voters. We are employing advanced data analysis techniques, including cross-referencing voter registration databases and utilizing signature verification software, to validate each signature."

The Secretary of State's office indicated the review process could take several weeks, potentially delaying a decision on whether the petition qualifies for the ballot. This delay adds to the already heightened political tension surrounding the tax.

Legal experts suggest that if the allegations of widespread fraud are substantiated, the petition could be disqualified entirely. "Under Washington state law, petitions are subject to strict validation requirements. Any evidence of intentional misrepresentation or fraudulent activity could invalidate the entire effort," explained election law attorney David Chen. "The burden of proof lies with the Secretary of State's office to demonstrate the legitimacy of the signatures."

Meanwhile, proponents of the millionaire tax have called for a full and transparent investigation. "These allegations are deeply troubling," said Maria Rodriguez, spokesperson for the "Invest in Washington's Future" coalition. "If true, this represents a deliberate attempt to undermine the democratic process and deprive Washington children of critical resources. We urge the Secretary of State's office to conduct a rigorous investigation and hold those responsible accountable."

The coalition also points to the significant financial resources invested in the anti-tax campaign, suggesting a potential motive for manipulating the petition. Records show that several wealthy individuals and corporations have contributed large sums to the effort to repeal the tax, raising questions about potential undue influence.

The outcome of the signature verification process will have significant implications for the future of Washington state's tax policy and funding for early learning programs. It also underscores the importance of robust safeguards to prevent fraud and ensure the integrity of citizen initiatives and referendums.