Initiative Measure No. IL26-638

Argument for

By Alesha Perkins, Parent and Education Advocate, Independent Writer; Dori Whitford, High School Coach, Track and Cross Country; Carol Brown, Olympic Bronze Medalist, Rowing Board Member, ICONS; Erica Li, MD, Board-Certified Pediatrician; Ahnaleigh Wilson, Student Athlete, Girls’ Sports Advocate; Jess Grant, Member, Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender

Loaded LanguageBandwagon Appeal

Vote yes to protect fairness in girls’ sports Female athletes deserve fair opportunities to build confidence, develop skills, and pursue goals. Let’s protect those opportunities and affirm the hard-fought rights established through Title IX in 1972, which expanded athletic access for women by recognizing the necessity of the female category.

Washington currently allows males to compete against girls, undermining opportunities generations before them fought to secure. Approving IL26-638 would align Washington with world sports policies Federal law, the Women’s Tennis Association, World Athletics, and the International Olympic Committee have all adopted policies to protect eligibility for the female category.

Loaded Language · “undermining opportunities generations before them fought to secure” — Emotionally charged framing of trans-inclusive policy as 'undermining' hard-won opportunities.

Bandwagon Appeal · “align Washington with world sports policies”, “have all adopted policies to protect eligibility for the female category” — Implies the bill is right because federal law and major sports bodies have all adopted similar policies, urging alignment with them.

In March 2026, the IOC president stated, “It is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category.” Voting yes gives all students the opportunity to participate in interscholastic sports Medical clearance is already required to participate safely.

Students would compete in the category that aligns with their sex, verified during routine, medically necessary primary care recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. During a private, consented visit, a licensed medical professional would verify sex based on the student’s birth records, medical history and/or a standard, non-invasive physical examination.

Washington can respect every student while recognizing that sex-based athletic categories are necessary A female athlete should not lose a starting position, medal, championship, or college recruiting opportunity because the category created for her was not protected.

From sos.wa.gov, the official voter guide.

Argument against

By Justin Gill, APRN, President, WA State Nurses Association; Courtney Normand, WA State Director, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates; Karen Crowley, President, League of Women Voters of WA; Grace Shih, M.D., Family Physician; Katie Johnson, RN, Retired School Nurse; Paul Charbonneau, High School Girls’ Wrestling Coach

Loaded LanguageName CallingAppeal to Fear

Vote No To Protect All Girls We all want fairness and safety in sports, but this poorly written measure would require girls as young as 8 to undergo intrusive medical sex certification as a new part of sports physicals. It bans parents from using birth certificates.

Section 2 says doctors must subject girls to invasive examinations of their “reproductive organs,” or expensive genetic or hormone tests. These requirements apply to girls only, boys are exempt. Vote No Because It’s the Most Extreme Proposal of Its Kind In The U.S.

This initiative is bankrolled by an ultra-conservative mega-donor to distract from rising costs, foster hate, and divide our communities. It’s playing politics with kids, and putting girls at risk.

Loaded Language · “foster hate”, “ultra-conservative mega-donor”, “playing politics with kids” — Emotionally charged terms such as 'foster hate' and 'ultra-conservative mega-donor' frame the initiative's backers and aims negatively without evidence.

Name Calling · “ultra-conservative mega-donor” — Labels the donor with the derogatory tag 'ultra-conservative mega-donor' to discredit the initiative rather than engage its substance.

Appeal to Fear · “putting girls at risk” — Claims the initiative puts girls at risk, evoking fear for children's safety to sway opinion.

Vote No Because Doctors and Nurses Warn It Requires Invasive Genital Exams On Girls The WA State Nurses Association, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, and doctors warn this measure would subject girls to medically unnecessary, embarrassing, and potentially harmful genital exams. Today, students remain fully clothed during sports physicals.

Many of Washington’s 147,500 girls without a regular family doctor would be subject to genital examinations by total strangers. Vote No Because It Discourages Girls From Playing Sports Coaches and athletes say if we truly cared about girls’ sports we would not put up more barriers for girls like invasive genital exam requirements.

This statewide blanket ban to kick 5 - 10 trans girls off school teams will negatively impact all girls, leaving no room for case by case decisions.

From sos.wa.gov, the official voter guide.

Supporting

Let's Go Washington (Sponsored by Brian Heywood)

Ballot measure committee, sponsored by Brian Heywood

Raised $3,936,675 · spent $3,918,276 · as reported through Oct 16, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• HEYWOOD BRIAN · $607,136 · individual
• Hughes Lawrence · $250,000 · individual
• Gordon Steve · $250,000 · individual
• Crow Robert · $245,000 · individual
• Kelley DevCom LLC · $200,000
  Company

This committee is registered for more than one measure; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

47TH DISTRICT REPUBLICANS (47th District GOP)

Political party

“We are active members of the Republican party who live or work in the 47th legislative district.” — its website

Raised $14,930 · spent $12,548 · as reported through Oct 20, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• NEW TECH WEB, INC. · $2,265
  Company
• KELTS DONALD · $2,130 · individual
• ROBERTS RAYMOND · $1,796 · individual
• Clark Cobi · $1,075 · individual
• TOMLINSON CECIL J · $1,062 · individual

A political party committee registered on this measure. Its totals cover all its activity, including candidates; its filings don’t divide them by measure.

Skagit Young Republicans (SYR)

Political action committee

Registered; no financial report filed yet.

A political party committee registered on this measure. Its totals cover all its activity, including candidates; its filings don’t divide them by measure.

Opposing

No Hate in WA State

Ballot measure committee

Raised $3,924,112 · spent $2,224,059 · as reported through Oct 21, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• Inatai Foundation · $1,000,000
  501(c)(4) nonprofit
• SEIU 775 Ballot Fund · $700,500
  Political action committee, sponsored by SEIU 775 (from the registered committee name)
• Washington Education Association · $380,228
  Labor union
• National Education Association · $250,000
  Labor union · federal PAC contributions, 2025–26: $1,966,500 to Democratic and $11,000 to Republican candidates and party committees, $35,000 to others (FEC)
• ACLU of Washington · $173,553
  501(c)(4) nonprofit

Since then, $45,877 more reported in contributions of $1,000 or more, through Oct 20, 2026.

This committee is registered for more than one measure; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Defend Washington

Ballot measure committee

Raised $352,407 · spent $337,626 · as reported through Oct 12, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• No on 645 · $207,000
  Ballot measure committee
• Washington Education Association · $90,000
  Labor union
• SEIU 775 · $40,000
  Labor union
• Coffey Robert · $1,000 · individual

This committee is registered for more than one measure; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Snohomish County Democratic Party (Campaign - Non-Exempt)

Political party

Raised $162,727 · spent $140,126 · as reported through Oct 19, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• CINDY RYU SURPLUS FUNDS · $73,000
  Candidate-controlled committee, sponsored by Cindy Ryu
• CHELGREN SCOTT · $8,600 · individual
• MCGEE ROBIN · $8,428 · individual
• PAINE SUSAN · $8,325 · individual
• WASHINGTON VALUES PAC · $6,000
  Political action committee

A political party committee registered on this measure. Its totals cover all its activity, including candidates; its filings don’t divide them by measure.

Planned Parenthood Advocates Of Greater Washington PAC Sponsored by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Greater Washington and North Idaho

Political action committee, sponsored by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Greater Washington and North Idaho

Raised $56,644 · spent $51,320 · as reported through Oct 16, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• PLANNED PARENTHOOD ADVOCATES OF GREATER WASHINGTON AND NORTH IDAHO · $33,649
  501(c)(4) nonprofit
• North Deborah · $5,000 · individual
• Bradshaw Lucy · $2,000 · individual
• West Maureen · $1,225 · individual
• Natarajan Kottayam · $1,175 · individual

This committee is registered for more than one measure; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Seattle Indivisible

Political action committee

“We are a local chapter of the Indivisible movement, and are inspired by the Indivisible Guide.” — its website

Raised $44,530 · spent $23,555 · as reported through Oct 12, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• Seattle Indivisible · $29,530
  Political action committee
• Orenstein Lisa · $1,158 · individual
• Cleland Katherine · $1,038 · individual
• Loughry Michael · $1,000 · individual
• Stansbury Michael Burke · $500 · individual

This committee does other political work too; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Children's Campaign Fund Ballot Measure Committee

Ballot measure committee

Raised $30,000 · spent $6,350 · as reported through Oct 12, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• Washington Youth Aliance & Action Fund · $20,000
  Other
• Washington Progress Alliance · $10,000
  501(c)(4) nonprofit

This committee is registered for more than one measure; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Snohomish County Democratic Party (Operations - Exempt)

Political party

Raised $24,600 · spent $24,072 · as reported through Oct 12, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• WASHINGTON VALUES PAC · $19,000
  Political action committee
• CITIZENS TO ELECT RICK LARSEN · $1,200
  Candidate-controlled committee, sponsored by Rick Larsen (U.S. House candidate, WA-02; FEC principal campaign committee)

A political party committee registered on this measure. Its totals cover all its activity, including candidates; its filings don’t divide them by measure.

Seattle DSA PAC (SDSA PAC)

Political action committee, sponsored by Seattle DSA (from the registered committee name)

“We are the Seattle chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.” — its sponsor’s website

Raised $13,085 · spent $5,830 · as reported through Oct 16, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• Democratic Socialists of America, Inc · $9,500
  501(c)(4) nonprofit
• Seattle DSA · $1,000
  501(c)(4) nonprofit
• Mayorga Jessica · $500 · individual
• Roblee Alice · $500 · individual
• Herde Eric · $250 · individual

This committee does other political work too; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Permanent Defense PAC

Political action committee

Raised $7,710 · spent $7,355 · as reported through Oct 12, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• Cleland Katherine · $1,625 · individual
• Strengthening Communities PAC · $1,000
  Political action committee
• Gooding Mark · $500 · individual
• Allen Victoria · $250 · individual
• King Sue · $200 · individual

This committee is registered for more than one measure; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Pacific County Voices Uniting (PCVU)

Political action committee

“Pacific County Voices Uniting is a 100% BIPOC-led organization in Southwest Washington.” — its website

Registered; no financial report filed yet.

Salish Sea Federation of Democratic Women (Salish Sea Democratic Women)

Political action committee

Registered; no financial report filed yet.

A political party committee registered on this measure. Its totals cover all its activity, including candidates; its filings don’t divide them by measure.