The state of Washington is probably beating I-1631, a major climate bill

But Initiative 1631 was supported by state governor Jay Inslee and most of his environmental groups. "I'm going to do everything in my power," Inslee told me in August, calling the proposal "thoughtful and very balanced."

The likely defeat of this initiative suggests that one of the most progressive states in the union is still struggling to adopt a rigorous climate policy. This loss is the third recent setback in Washington's climate policy. In 2016, voters rejected a carbon-neutral income tax on the ballot, although most state environmental groups opposed the measure. And earlier this year, the state legislature failed to pass a carbon tax law similar to that of 1631.

Proponents of 1631 had hoped that President Donald Trump's inaction on the climate would finally incite Evergreen residents to react.

"Donald Trump is a very inspiring unifying figure. He unified the Democratic Party like never before, "Inslee told me in August. "When you know that you are alone, that you are not going to receive the salvation of the White House, you are aware that we must act."

Voters seem to disagree with the governor. Nick Abraham, an organizer of the "Yes 1631" campaign, told me Tuesday night that there were still too many votes to wait to be able to count. "The main conclusion of the evening is that people know that the problem will only get worse, and that this coalition is not going anywhere," he said.

With 1631 defeats, California remains the only state in the country to adopt an aggressive climate policy.