Jane Fonda to volunteers: Canvass as if your life depends on it The actress spoke to I-1639 and I-1631 supporters on how important getting voters is

Actress and activist Jane Fonda attends a campaigning event for Initiatives 1639 and 1631, which address gun safety and clean energy respectively, in the University District, Tuesday, September 11, 2018, before going out canvassing in the area. less Actress and activist Jane Fonda attends a campaigning event for Initiatives 1639 and 1631, which address gun safety and clean energy respectively, in the University District, Tuesday, September 11, 2018, before ... more Photo: GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM Photo: GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Jane Fonda to volunteers: Canvass as if your life depends on it 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

The first time Jane Fonda was ever arrested came nearly 50 years ago at Fort Lawton, in a military base protest with United Indians of All Tribes that would give Seattle its Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center.

The young, short-haired actress seen back then is today a regal presence. But Fonda is still the activist, and Tuesday was walking her talk -- literally as she joined canvassers in Seattle for two ballot initiatives.

"This is the most important election in my lifetime and that is saying something," Fonda, 80, told a packed house of Initiative 1639 and I-1631 supporters in the University District.

She was joining U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., perhaps America's least endangered member of Congress. Jayapal copped 82 percent of the vote in Washington's August primary, and her Seattle-centered district is one of America's most progressive.

But Jayapal is putting her clout behind two ballot initiatives: I-1631 would impose a carbon fee on most of the state's major polluters, and devote much of the revenue toward transitioning Washington to clean energy.

RELATED: Connelly: Judge sides with NRA, rules to block gun safety initiative

I-1639 would raise from 18 to 21 the minimum age for purchase of a semi-automatic assault rifle, strengthen background check requirements -- it is currently easier to buy an assault rifle than a pistol -- and impose a 10-day waiting period on purchase of such weapons.

"I know my race is not competitive this year," Jayapal told initiative canvassers. "Eighty-two percent for me is good. What is important is to pass these two initiatives . . . When we do something in this state, they do it across the country."

Fonda took note of a seminal question hanging over this year's mid-term election -- voter turnout. "A lot of the doors you're knocking on are people who do not vote in mid-term elections," said the Oscar-winning actress.

Fonda is still hated on the political right for her travel to Hanoi during the Vietnam War. She has, however, given early, intense support to worthy causes in this corner of the country.

She was with Native American activist Bernie Whitebear in his campaign for Daybreak Star. She was down on the Nisqually River with Billy Frank, Jr., who was arrested more than 30 times trying to exercise his treaty fishing rights on the river where he grew up.

Frank is today recognized as a Washington hero, a catalyst in the struggle to restore salmon spawning habitat and bring back decimated fish runs. He is the namesake of a national wildlife refuge where dikes have been removed and saltwater habitat restored for young salmon.

The boost to volunteers is particularly needed by backers of I-1631. The initiative is shaping up as a battle of boots vs. bucks.

Major oil refiners have put together an $11.5 million warchest to fight the measure. They've brought in Winner Mandabach a California consulting firm renowned for masterminding business' campaigns against ballot initiatives.

Big Oil has built a war chest three times as large as Clean Air Clean Energy Washington, which backs the initiative. Phillips 66 has put up $3.7 million, with $3.162 million from Andeavor (the former Tesoro); $3 million from BP and nearly $400,000 from BP America; $500,000 from Chevron USA and $558,000 from U.S. Oil and Refining.

"Right now there is nothing more important we can do than what we are doing this morning," Fonda told canvassers supporting I-1631 and I-1639.

ALSO: Gov. Inslee: Interior Sec. Zinke would sell his grandchildren for big oil

Jayapal drove home a second message: The nation is watching. She has sponsored legislation in Congress to raise the age for semi-automatic weapons purchase to 21 under federal law, and to create safe storage requirements for firearms.

"We have these bills," said Jayapal. "We need momentum. Washington can provide momentum.

The National Rifle Association and gun rights groups are making exactly the same argument in urging their members to oppose Initiative 1639.

The gathering of volunteers in the U District was much younger than turnout at many Seattle-area events for progressive causes.