Washington · November 3, 2026 general election · Statewide ballot measure
Initiative Measure No. IL26-638: what your vote means
Participation in athletics at K-12 schools. On every Washington ballot. Official sources checked October 26, 2026.
Initiative Measure No. IL26-638 · Initiative to the Legislature
Participation in athletics at K-12 schools
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?
As printed in the 2026 Voters’ Pamphlet.
A YES vote means:
Students the measure defines as “biologically male” could not compete on school sports teams or in events designated for female students only. Students who want to compete in those teams or events would need a form signed by their health care provider verifying their biological sex.
A NO vote means:
Current law stays as it is: schools may offer separate teams by sex, and state rules continue to prohibit discrimination in school sports based on sex and gender identity.
What it would change
- Who is affected: students in public K-12 schools and in private schools that take part in the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) or similar groups. The Attorney General’s statement says it would generally prevent transgender girls from participating on girls’ sports teams.
- New requirement: students on teams or in events designated for female students only would need a form signed by their personal health care provider, based on reproductive anatomy, genetic makeup, or normal endogenously produced testosterone levels.
- Taxes and fees: no effect on state or local revenue, according to OFM.
- Fiscal impact (OFM estimate): a one-time cost of about $21,000 for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to update guidance. School districts would likely have costs to revise policies; OFM says this cost cannot be determined. If approved, the measure takes effect December 3, 2026.
Official arguments, summarized
Short neutral summaries of the arguments printed in the official voters’ pamphlet. The committees that wrote them are responsible for their content. Read the full text at the link below.
Argument for
Supporters say the measure protects fair opportunities for female athletes, reflects Title IX, and aligns Washington with policies adopted by federal law and international sports bodies; they say routine primary care can verify sex.
Written by: Alesha Perkins; Dori Whitford; Carol Brown, Olympic Bronze Medalist; Erica Li, MD; Ahnaleigh Wilson; Jess Grant · di-ag.org
Argument against
Opponents say the verification requirement could mean medically unnecessary exams or tests for girls, that it applies only to girls’ categories, and that it would affect a small number of transgender girls while discouraging other girls from playing.
Written by: Justin Gill, WA State Nurses Association; Courtney Normand; Karen Crowley, League of Women Voters of WA; Grace Shih, M.D.; Katie Johnson, RN; Paul Charbonneau · nohateinwastate.org
Arguments and rebuttals for IL26-638, 2026 Voters’ Pamphlet (PDF)
Who supports it and who opposes it
These lists come from official campaign filings (registered committees) and public endorsements, each linked to its source. They are not complete, and SaveYourState does not endorse anyone listed. Lists checked October 30, 2026.
Who supports it
- 47TH DISTRICT REPUBLICANS (47th District GOP) Washington Public Disclosure Commission: committee registration 69693 (for IL26-638)
- Community Vanguard Network (CVN) Washington Public Disclosure Commission: committee registration 70316 (for IL26-638)
- Let's Go Washington (Sponsored by Brian Heywood) Washington Public Disclosure Commission: committee registration 69312 (for IL26-638)
- Skagit Young Republicans (SYR) Washington Public Disclosure Commission: committee registration 70235 (for IL26-638)
Who opposes it
- Children's Campaign Fund Ballot Measure Committee Washington Public Disclosure Commission: committee registration 70277 (against IL26-638)
- Defend Washington Washington Public Disclosure Commission: committee registration 70216 (against IL26-638)
- No Hate in WA State Washington Public Disclosure Commission: committee registration 69996 (against IL26-638)
- Pacific County Voices Uniting (PCVU) Washington Public Disclosure Commission: committee registration 70258 (against IL26-638)
- Permanent Defense PAC Washington Public Disclosure Commission: committee registration 70315 (against IL26-638)
- Planned Parenthood Advocates Of Greater Washington PAC Sponsored by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Greater Washington and North Idaho Washington Public Disclosure Commission: committee registration 70190 (against IL26-638)
- Salish Sea Federation of Democratic Women (Salish Sea Democratic Women) Washington Public Disclosure Commission: committee registration 69720 (against IL26-638)
- Seattle DSA PAC (SDSA PAC) Washington Public Disclosure Commission: committee registration 70171 (against IL26-638)
- Seattle Indivisible Washington Public Disclosure Commission: committee registration 70173 (against IL26-638)
- Snohomish County Democratic Party Washington Public Disclosure Commission: registrations 70209 (campaign) and 70236 (operations) of the Snohomish County Democratic Party, both against IL26-638
Official sources
- Online Voters’ Guide: statewide measures
- Ballot title letter, Attorney General (PDF)
- Full text of the initiative (PDF)
- Explanatory statement, Attorney General (PDF)
- Fiscal impact statement, Office of Financial Management (PDF)
SaveYourState is independent and nonpartisan, not a government site, and does not take positions on ballot measures. This explainer describes effects only, using the official ballot title, explanatory statement, full text, and fiscal impact statement. If anything here differs from those documents, the official documents control.