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Ballot measures

November 4, 2025 General Election

City of Seattle

Proposition No. 1
Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy

The Seattle City Council adopted Ordinance No. 127238 concerning replacing an expiring levy to fund education-support services.

The City of Seattle’s Proposition 1 would replace an expiring levy, funding childcare and preschool; academic, health, and safety supports for K-12 students; college and job readiness; and other supports, as provided in Ordinance 127238.

It authorizes a six-year levy for collection beginning in 2026 of an additional $0.72/$1,000 of assessed value, for a maximum total levy rate of $3.02. 2026’s levy amount will be the base for subsequent levies through 2031. RCW 84.36.381’s senior citizens and disabled persons exemption applies.

Should this levy be approved?

Yes

No


Seattle Proposition 1, known as the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy, replaces an expiring education levy, raising a maximum of $1,258,300,000 over six years to increase access to and deliver education-support services in four areas: A) early childhood programs to increase access to affordable childcare and preschool; B) K-12 student supports to increase student college and career readiness; C) K-12 health and safety programs to increase student physical and mental wellness; and D) college and career supports to increase student completion of post-secondary degree or other career pathway opportunities. Ordinance 127238, in Section 6, describes these areas in more detail. Spending amounts and priorities within the four areas will be further determined by Section 2’s statement of policy, annual budgets, and an Implementation and Evaluation Plan adopted by ordinance, and guided by an Oversight Committee.

The additional tax rate associated with this proposition’s increase for each property owner would be approximately $0.72 per $1,000 of assessed value, and the maximum rate for the total levy is $3.02/$1,000. The levy would first be collected in 2026. RCW 84.36.381’s senior citizens and disabled persons exemption applies.

Without voter-approved levies, the City is generally limited by state law to increasing annual property taxes by no more than one percent above the highest amount that the City could have received in the prior year. After this proposition has finished levying taxes in 2031, that one percent maximum increase would be calculated as if this proposition had not been passed.

Every Seattle child deserves quality early learning, safety and health throughout their K-12 education, and access to college or career training. Every Child Ready– updating the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise Levy– expands and renews programs that help kids at every stage of learning, regardless of income or zip code.

Doubling Affordable Childcare: The levy doubles assistance for families struggling with childcare costs– serving 1,400 families and stabilizing the childcare workforce. The levy supports early learning programs that reduce inequities and help kids enter Kindergarten ready to learn.

Keeping Kids Healthy: Your vote adds in-school health clinics; ensuring students in 34 Seattle Public Schools can access medically accurate consultation and care, including on-call behavioral health counseling. The levy invests in summer and after-school programs that provide safe, nurturing places to learn.

College and Career Readiness: Prop 1 maintains Seattle Promise– free two-year tuition for any Seattle high school graduate at Seattle Colleges, with pathways to four-year degrees. The levy adds outreach to help kids interested in skilled trades and other family-wage jobs. Join Mayor Bruce Harrell, a unanimous City Council, unions including SEIU 925 representing childcare workers, businesses, education child health advocates, and more in support of Prop 1.

Bruce Harrell, Maritza Rivera, Tricia Schroeder, everychildreadyseattle.com

Despite the FEPP levy’s stated goals, grades and academic performance have not improved as intended; they have worsened. Seattle families are being burdened with yet another tax in an already unaffordable city while failing to deliver the gains voters were told to expect. This measure equates to roughly $654 annually for a median-valued home.

Year after year, despite this levy, students have seen stagnant or declining academic outcomes. During the pandemic, overall math and ELA proficiency dropped across Seattle Public Schools, even among FEPP-supported students, and continues to remain below pre-pandemic levels.

Additionally, student mental health continues to deteriorate. Rates of depression, anxiety, and absenteeism have increased, even as levy funds have been allocated toward social-emotional and wellness programs. The trend shows that more money hasn’t produced the promised results, raising questions about oversight and accountability.

Meanwhile, Seattle’s cost of living continues to climb. Introducing another levy only adds to this financial strain, offering no benefit in return. The FEPP levy has failed to deliver the promised academic turnaround. Its renewal would place an unjustifiable burden on residents in a city already grappling with affordability crises. We deserve better outcomes, not higher taxes to prop up failed programs. Vote No.

Ari Hoffman

This renewal more than doubles affordable childcare, a top concern of cost-sensitive families, and maintains college and career readiness programs that have helped thousands of young people succeed. K-12 investments provide essential health care and wraparound services, and are updated to include mental health and increased community -based support.

This levy receives independent oversight and has won national recognition - please vote Yes for our kids and families.

Bruce Harrell, Maritza Rivera, Tricia Schroeder, everychildreadyseattle.com

Raising taxes doesn’t make childcare or education more affordable—it just shifts the burden onto struggling families and small businesses. This levy has been in place for years, yet two-thirds of Washington students still aren’t at grade level in reading or math. Despite record revenues, outcomes keep getting worse. These programs are not delivering results. Instead of taxing more, Seattle should reform spending, cut waste, and demand accountability before taking another dollar from taxpayers.

Ari Hoffman

Simple majority (RCW 84.55.050)

For questions about this measure, contact: Polly Grow, Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission, (206) 615-1248, polly.grow@seattle.gov 
 

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