Washington voters ban trans athletes from girls sports
The gist
Washington voters approved Initiative 638 with about 57% support, barring students it defines as "biologically male" from K-12 girls sports.
The measure ends a nearly 20-year state policy and is expected to face a court challenge.
How it unfolded
- Jan 22, 2026Secretary of State Steve Hobbs' office certified signatures for Initiative IL26-638, setting up the measure to qualify for the November ballot if legislators did not act.
- Oct 5, 2026Polling released by Let's Go Washington, collected in August, showed I-638 passing with 56% of the vote.
- Nov 3, 2026Initial election results showed Initiative 638 at 56.8%.
Key terms
- political action committee
- A U.S. tax-exempt organization that pools campaign contributions and donates them to campaigns for or against candidates, ballot measures, or legislation.
- ballot measure
- A direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue, either binding or advisory.
Source: Wikipedia