Seattle library levy passes with nearly 3 in 4 voters’ support
Aug. 5, 2026 at 4:51 pm
By Nicholas Deshais, Seattle Times staff reporter
Election Results
City of Seattle Proposition 1, Updated Aug 5, 2026, 4:01 PM
VOTES
%Yes
84,879
72.4%
No
32,341
27.6%
Source: WA Secretary of State
Seattle’s $479 million library levy has passed, with voters’ support growing slightly in the second day of ballot counting, showing enthusiasm to pay for public services through higher property taxes and solidifying the levy’s success.
About 72.4% voted in favor of the levy, which is nearly double the size of the current one that expires at the end of this year, and that will help fund the Seattle Public Library over the next seven years.
According to the city budget office, it will cost the median homeowner an average of $193 annually. That money will go toward many aspects of keeping the library open and accessible.
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About $229 million is marked for maintaining open hours, funding programming and hiring more security and specialists to direct patrons to social services.
Another $134 million will go to deferred and routine building maintenance, hiring more janitors, and conducting seismic repairs and renovations at certain branches.
About $69 million will help expand the library’s physical and digital collections, and $38 million is designated for computer services, internet access and IT support.
The levy funding won’t cover all of the library’s bills, but instead accounts for about a third of the library’s total budget.
Mayor Katie Wilson initially proposed a $410 million library revenue measure, and the City Council added nearly $60 million to the package, including $10 million earmarked specifically for the Central Library.
With its passage, the city is close to hitting the property tax cap allowed under state law.
Continue/Read Original Article: Seattle library levy passes with nearly 3 in 4 voters’ support | The Seattle Times
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