Referendum 88: Washington state voters narrowly rejecting affirmative action

A measure that reinstates the use of affirmative action in state employment, contracting and admission to public colleges and universities was losing Tuesday night in early returns.Referendum 88 asks people whether they want to approve or reject Initiative 1000, which was passed by the Legislature in April. I-1000 amends current statutes that prohibit state government from discriminating against or giving preferential treatment to individuals or groups based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, public education, or public contracting.While it was passing in King County, the state`s most populous, it was being rejected in most other areas.