Initiative 19-001 aimed at ensuring fair rights for renters in Federal Way appears to be passing in early election results.

Approximately 55% of residents voted in favor of the measure, while about 45% voted against it, according to preliminary King County Elections results on Tuesday night.

Xochitl Maykovich, one of the organizers for Stable Homes Federal Way and the initiative, was thrilled by the initial results.

“We f****** kicked a**,” she said to laughs and cheers from the rest of the Stable Homes supporters at the election night party at Scoreboard in Federal Way.

“We organized, we won,” Maykovich said.

Another organizer, Erin Fenner, added: “And we did it through grassroots organizing.”

Federal Way City Council members Martin Moore and Jesse Johnson are supporting the initiative, which proponents refer to as the “Stables Homes” and “Just Cause Evictions” Initiative.

If passed, the measure would create good cause eviction protections for renters by requiring landlords to provide reason before evicting tenants; ensure renters have the ability to live with family; protect tenants from retaliatory evictions; and protect members of the military, first responders, seniors, family members, health care providers, or educators from discriminatory evictions.

Final King County Elections results will be certified on Nov. 26.

Dozens of supporters and Federal Way community members gather at Scoreboard in Federal Way awaiting initial election results. Haley Donwerth/staff photo