OLYMPIA — Both campaigns in the Initiative 912 fight have changed their names, in part to avoid confusion at the ballot.

Initiative 912 backers have changed their name from Nonewgastax.com to Yes912.com. "We wanted to get 'no' out of the title," said Aaron Schwitters, campaign coordinator for the measure, which would repeal a 9.5-cent-a-gallon gasoline tax passed by the Legislature in April.

The opposition campaign, likewise, has changed its campaign name from Keep Washington Rolling to No on 912.

As both sides head into the final weeks, they want to help make sure voters don't get mixed up at the last minute. Seattle public-opinion pollster Stuart Elway found evidence recently that indicates some people may be uncertain just what yes and no means when it comes to I-912.

In two polls earlier this year, Elway asked people how they'd vote, after first explaining that a yes vote would repeal the gas tax and a no vote would keep it in place. Then last month he asked people how they'd vote, without going into detail about the difference.

The number of people who were undecided surged from 3 percent in August to 11 percent last month, a possible sign that people are confused, Elway said.

Washington State University political scientist Lance LeLoup said confusion is likely considering that any voter who wants to say no to the tax increase would have to vote yes for the initiative. "I think it's definitely an issue," he said.

Mark Funk, a spokesman for No on 912, predicts any confusion will fade away.

"I have a feeling that by the end of this election, voters are going to be well aware of what a yes vote does and what a no vote does," he said.

The No on 912 campaign has a lot more money than I-912 backers to get its message across. The latest state financial-disclosure reports show initiative opponents have raised more than $1 million so far, including more than $250,000 from asphalt paving, construction and engineering interests.

The two biggest contributions to date came from Washington Asphalt Paving Association and John Stanton, a prominent Republican and chief executive of Western Wireless. Each donated $100,000.

Yes on 912 has raised about $225,000, according to the campaign, mostly through small contributions. The group has received only a handful of contributions of at least $1,000 from individuals and groups, including the Northwest Health Care Alliance and Heath Homes.

The No on 912 camp is spending about $175,000 on a media buy that started yesterday, airing several different television advertisements on cable TV in Yakima, the Tri-Cities, Spokane, Clark County and the central Puget Sound region.

The ads have everyday people — a farmer, a mother and a firefighter — urging voters to defeat the initiative. The commercials will vary by area, Funk said.

For example, different spots have been developed for Seattle, North King County and the Eastside, and South King County. Even Clark and Whatcom counties have ads targeting those areas.

"We're going to try to drive the message as close to home as we can," Funk said.

Andrew Garber: 360-943-9882 or agarber@seattletimes.com