Washington voters are on track to approve the nation’s first voter‑driven law separating boys and girls in K‑12 sports. Unofficial returns show a 13.6‑point lead for Initiative 638 with 60% of ballots counted.
Washington Voters Lead Nationwide Push for Sex‑Based Sports Separation
If passed, the measure becomes the first statewide law to mandate sex‑based team placement and the first such law enacted in a blue state.
Twenty‑seven other states, all won by Donald Trump in 2024, already enforce similar separations through legislative action. These laws were passed by state legislatures, not by voters.
Supporters say the win will inspire similar ballot measures nationwide. This could turn a cultural flashpoint into a federal‑level battleground.
“I think this is a big bellwether for the state,” Let’s Go Washington founder Brian Heywood said. He added that the issue transcends party lines and centers on parental fairness in girls’ sports.
Signature Drive and Camas High Controversy
Heywood filed the initiative in June 2025, collecting over 445,000 signatures — more than double the 309,000 required. Athletes Frances Staudt and Ahnaleigh Wilson helped gather the signatures.
The controversy erupted after a Camas High sophomore transferred from the boys’ junior varsity team to the girls’ varsity roster in September 2025. He won a race and placed second in three others, prompting teammates to walk off the track in October.
Women’s sports advocate Amy Sousa, who filmed the walk‑off, said the measure protects Title IX. She added that it safeguards the promise of sex‑based opportunities fought for by earlier generations.
Colorado and Other States Follow Suit
In Colorado, Proposition 134 leads by 4.4 points with about 75% of votes counted. Officials continue counting ballots, so the outcome remains undecided.
“I am cautiously optimistic that in a deep blue state, with a deep blue election wave, voters will protect girls’ sports,” said Jennifer Sey, chair of the Proposition 134 campaign and founder of XX‑XY Athletics. She emphasized that the issue is not partisan but based on biological reality.
Arizona’s Proposition 318 leads by 14.6 points and would extend restrictions to private schools and locker rooms. Meanwhile, Nebraska’s Initiative 442 enjoys a double‑digit lead, cementing existing bans in the state constitution.
The real story lies in Washington and Colorado, where voters in traditionally blue states are reshaping the rules for girls’ and women’s sports. This response answers years of teenage calls for action.
Matt Calkins, a columnist for Outkick who previously spent 11 years at the Seattle Times, reported on the developments. His background includes work at the San Diego Union Tribune and the Vancouver Columbian.
