The Cascadian Commonwealth Referendum was held on 3 August, 1982. The referendum determined whether the Provisional Government of Cascadia would become a republic or join the British Royal Commonwealth entering with the status of a commonwealth. Following the Cascadian Emergency in which Cascadia, along with Canadian assistance, gained independence from the Pacific States following the independence referendum in the previous year.
The Provisional Government was headed by Washington Governor Daniel J. Evans, who acted as Provisional President of the Provisional Congress. Following the war Cascadia was left economically isolated as even though the Pacific States, now the California Republic, officially recognized the independence of Cascadia in the Seattle Agreement (Signed 10 January, 1982), California would increase tariffs and make exports to the country more difficult to other countries that traded with Cascadia. Which resulted in a sluggish economy that could only rebound if trade with Canada was established. The Food Stamp Act and the Minimum Assistance Program would help the most affected citizens, but resentment against the government would increase. President Evans would soon entertain the idea of joining the British Royal Commonwealth to gain the benefits of free trade with neighbouring Canada and other Commonwealth members. The idea was thought to be impossible during the beginning months, buy increased riots made this drastic idea gain further traction.
Bill Gates Sr, a representative from Seattle, was the first to propose the idea of joining the Commonwealth in March, 1982, although his proposal would be voted down. Bob Packwood, a representative from Oregon, was the main opposition leader to the idea of joining the Commonwealth, stating in a congress session, “It would be against the values and lives of those lost two hundred years ago, to just return to Britain after only a few weeks of hardship.”
The Yakima Massacre on the 13 April resulted in the deaths of 13 people, after a man who had been unable to renew his Food Stamp held a grocery store hostage and killed 12 and himself once the police arrived on the scene. The massacre insisted chaos, with people fearing to go to any food outlet, resulting in more deaths from starvation, 207 would die this way by the end of April. Bill Gates Sr. was appointed Secretary of State on 22 April, and told to begin negotiations with Canada, the United Kingdom, and the rest of the Commonwealth to discuss a possible entry into the organization. The Vancouver (BC) Agreement was signed on 8 May, which stated that the only way for Cascadia to enter the British Royal Commonwealth would be through referendum.
Debate in congress over whether Casacadia even had any legitimacy in joining an organization of former British colonial territories, but pro-commonwealth members mentioned the British joint occupation of Oregon Country with the United States, which encompassed all of Cascadia. After a month of debate and other legislation that were thought to relieve the economic problem, Congress voted 20-15 for holding referendum on 7 June. The final referendum date was to be held on the 3 August.
Daniel J. Evans, Bill Gates Sr, Tom Foley, and Marguerite Ray would campaign for joining the Commonwealth. While Bob Packwood, Slade Gorton, and Mark Hatfield were against joining. The main case against joining was the idea of betrayal against republicanism of democracy, the future grasp of the British royalty, and the hopeful idea of finding another economic solution, such as a plain free trade agreement with Canada or the US. While the case for joining was economic stability with the second largest economy in the world (Canada), military defence, understanding the deals with the US were unlikely due to agreements with California, and Canada was unwilling to invest in an unstable and unreliable economy, unless they were firmly in their sphere of influence.
Once the referendum was held, polls leading up to the day had the results to close to call, and were essentially even. Although most saw the republican side winning in most cases. Some were entertained and interested in the idea of royalty and monarchy, the economic stability joining the commonwealth would bring, as well as defence from California. While others opposed joining due to patriotic standards, total independence from unelectable power, and the belief that the current crisis could be resolved over time.
When the results came in, the victory for the commonwealth came as a shock. Border regions with Canada voted mostly for the commonwealth, along with mainly urban areas, and southwestern Oregon which was hardest hit by the Californian invasion. While more rural and eastern portions of both states voted for becoming a republic.
Cascadia would not officially join the commonwealth until 20 September. Bill Gates Sr. was selected as the first Governor-General the same day by Edward, Prince of Canada. The Federal Election would be held on the 26th, with a Conservative and Liberal coalition defeating the Republicans led by Packwood. With Daniel J. Evans serving as Prime Minister and with Albert L. Rasmussen serving as President of the Senate.
The economy of Cascadia would see rapid improvement, now being able to export to the Commonwealth countries. Main exports being timber, crops, and later technological services mainly provided by Microsoft, headed by Bill Gates Sr’s son, Bill Gates Jr.
