Full Breakdown
Washington Ballot Measure Targets Transgender Participation in K-12 Girls’ Sports
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Washington voters will decide this fall on Initiative Measure No. IL-26-638, which would require school districts and nonprofit athletic organizations to bar “biologically male” students from competing in girls’ team or individual sports. Compliance would hinge on a medical-provider document confirming a student’s biological sex based on reproductive anatomy, genetics, or endogenous testosterone levels.
Background & Context
After supporters gathered enough signatures, the state legislature chose to place the measure on the November ballot rather than act during the 2026 session. The initiative echoes policies already enacted in 27 states, with two additional states enforcing comparable restrictions. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Idaho’s law banning transgender athletes, ruling that such statutes do not violate the 14th Amendment or Title IX.
Data & Statistics
- State officials estimate five to ten transgender athletes among more than 200,000 student competitors statewide.
- A routine blood testosterone test costs $162; chromosome testing costs $1,310.
- The initiative does not specify who would pay for these medical exams.
Official Statements & Responses
Supporters argue the measure restores “basic fairness” and adds a simple checkbox to sports physicals, allowing leagues to determine eligibility without “subjective” gender categories. Hallie Herzberg of the Let’s Go Washington PAC describes the change as “just a checkbox” that reinstates a pre-2019 form item.
Opponents contend the requirement would force invasive examinations and costly testing, disproportionately affecting low-income families. Dr.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It doesn’t just target the youth they’re trying to impact, but it actually targets all girls and potential sports players,” — Zeke Smith, No Hate in Washington State executive committee member
- “I watch my girls be different than they were three years ago. All of them,” — Dori Whitford, cross-country coach
- “The initiative specifically says we doctors can’t use a birth certificate to be able to attest that a player is a girl; the specific language says we’re only to rely on examinations of reproductive anatomy, genetic or hormone tests,” — Dr. Libby Loft, family-medicine doctor
- “Not every girl has a private family doctor or pediatrician with a trusting long-standing relationship. It’s unrealistic that the invasive examinations being required by I-638 can be performed in those settings without humiliating and traumatizing young girls,” — Dr. Libby Loft
- “The initiative does not say anything about who’s going to pay for hormone tests,” — Dr. Libby Loft
- “One hundred ten thousand girls should not be subjected to invasive pelvic exams or expensive testing to be able to exclude, you know, a handful of trans girls in the state of Washington,” — Dr. Libby Loft