Poll shows support flagging for statewide gun measures

In the battle of two statewide gun initiatives on the fall ballot in Washington, one is polling far better than the other.

Initiative 594, which expands background checks to all gun sales, including gun shows and private and online sales, has 60 percent voter approval in the latest telephone survey conducted by The Elway Poll. Opposition is at 32 percent.

The other gun measure is Initiative 591. It would prohibit expanded background checks unless a national standard is established. Right now, background checks are required for sales by licensed dealers, but not for purchases from private sellers. Opponents now lead backers of I-591, 44-to-39.

Both measures have lost support since The Elway Poll began tracking the issue in April. Initiative 594 had 72 percent support in April. I-591 had 55 percent in April, compared to 39 percent in the latest poll.

Meanwhile, Dan Evans, a former Republican U.S. senator and governor, announced Monday he and his wife, Nancy, are supporting Initiative 594.

Evans served as governor from 1965 to 1977 and as a U.S. senator from 1983 to 1989.

Washington residents can expect to start seeing the state general election voters’ pamphlet in the mailbox this week.

The state Elections Division says they should arrive by Oct. 22.

The pamphlets go to 3.2 million households. There are 3.9 million registered voters in the state, so if there’s more than one voter in a household, they should share.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.