Initiative IL26-638: Girls' school sportsGirls' school sports limited to students the law defines as biologically female
Read the full text of the measure: Secretary of State's 2026 state Voters' Pamphlet (PDF)
In plain words
Today Washington schools may not treat students differently in sports because of sex or gender identity, so transgender girls can play on girls' teams. This measure would bar students it defines as "biologically male" from teams and events meant only for girls. A student who wants to play on a girls' team would need a form signed by their health care provider confirming sex, based on body parts, genes or natural testosterone levels. It covers public schools and private schools in the state athletic association. (sos.wa.gov (Secretary of State) )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| Transgender girls on girls' school teams | Allowed; state rules bar sex and gender-identity discrimination in sports | Not allowed |
| Proof of sex to play on a girls' team | Not required | Form signed by the student's own health care provider |
| Boys' and mixed teams | Open | No change |
| Schools covered | Public K-12 schools and the state athletic association (WIAA) | Public K-12 schools and private schools in the WIAA or similar groups |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (snohomishcountywa.gov )
Biggest change
- Students defined as "biologically male" could not compete on teams or in events designated only for female students, in public K-12 schools and in private schools that belong to the WIAA or a similar group. source: snohomishcountywa.gov
- A student seeking to play in a female-only event would need a form signed by their personal health care provider verifying sex based on reproductive anatomy, genetic makeup, or normal natural testosterone levels. source: snohomishcountywa.gov
Who it affects most: Transgender girls who play school sports, and every girl who wants to play on a girls' school team, who would need the provider form.
Cost to the state: No effect on state tax money. The state schools office (OSPI) would spend about $21,000 once to update rules; school districts would have costs to update policies, amount unknown. It would take effect December 3, 2026.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
Students the law defines as biologically male may not play on girls' school teams, and girls need a provider's form confirming sex to play.
School sports rules stay as they are, and transgender girls may keep playing on girls' teams.
Our one-line summary. Washington does not publish an official "what your vote means" statement; the ballot title above is the official description.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
Voters put this on the ballot by signing a petition. It changes a state law, which lawmakers can later change. It passes with a simple majority of the votes cast on it.
- The measure began as an initiative to the Legislature from Let's Go Washington. Majority Democrats did not take it up, so it goes to voters. Reports say only a handful of transgender students take part in girls' sports in the state. A similar measure is on the Colorado ballot this year. source: opb.org
Why supporters want it
- The official voters' pamphlet argument for, written by Alesha Perkins, coach Dori Whitford, Olympic bronze medalist Carol Brown, pediatrician Dr. Erica Li, student athlete Ahnaleigh Wilson and Jess Grant: "Male athletic advantage is well established." and "It simply requires participation consistent with one's sex." source: sos.wa.gov (Secretary of State)
- The same argument: "A female athlete should not lose a starting position, medal, championship, or college recruiting opportunity". source: sos.wa.gov (Secretary of State)
Why opponents object
- The official voters' pamphlet argument against, written by Justin Gill (Washington State Nurses Association), Courtney Normand (Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates), Karen Crowley (League of Women Voters of Washington), Dr. Grace Shih, retired school nurse Katie Johnson and girls' wrestling coach Paul Charbonneau, says it "exempts boys, and bans parents from using birth certificates." source: sos.wa.gov (Secretary of State)
- Their rebuttal: "Doctors say this poorly written measure will subject girls to new invasive genital examinations." source: sos.wa.gov (Secretary of State)
Who backs each side
- For: Let's Go Washington (Brian Heywood), which reported raising over $1.9 million this year as of June 2026 across its campaigns. Against: No Hate in WA State, which had raised $736,000 in 2026 and more than $400,000 in 2025, with large gifts from the National Education Association and its Washington branch, the ACLU, Gender Justice League and SEIU 775. source: opb.org
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Secretary of State's 2026 state Voters' Pamphlet (PDF) .
Initiative Measure No. IL26-638 concerns participation in athletics at K-12 schools.
This measure would prohibit students it defines as “biologically male” from competing in certain school athletic activities intended for female students only. It would require verification of biological sex by students’ healthcare providers.
Should this measure be enacted into law?
Yes
No
Copied word for word from the Secretary of State's 2026 state Voters' Pamphlet. Washington ballot titles have three parts: what the measure concerns, a short description, and the question.
Latest news
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Full text of the measure
The complete text of the measure is printed at the back of the state Voters' Pamphlet. Read it in the Secretary of State's 2026 state Voters' Pamphlet (PDF) .
Read more
- Secretary of State: 2026 state Voters' Pamphlet (measures, pages 8-22)
- Secretary of State: 2026 ballot measure files
- OPB: battle over the girls' sports measure
- Secretary of State: complete text of IL26-638 (PDF)
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