Voters in Washington state may have just made history, appearing to have passed a ballot measure to keep boys out of girls’ sports. Initiative 638 would be the first-ever voter-approved ballot item to bar biological males from female athletics, and as of early afternoon Wednesday, the “yes” vote on the measure was leading the “noes” by 56.8% to 43.2%.
It would also be the first time a blue state enacted such a law. Currently, 27 states have rules on the books to keep boys out of girls’ sports, but all of them were Trump states in 2024.
How Did We Get Here?
The fight over males competing as females in female sports continues to rage in the U.S.—from high school athletics to the WNBA.
In Washington, a teenage Tumwater women’s high school basketball player named Frances Staudt gave up playing the game she loved when she refused to play against and share a locker room with a male in 2025. She wound up in the middle of a civil rights complaint and faced ongoing harassment at school. Then, with backing from Let’s Go Washington, she became the face of the fight to pass I-638. Her story has been echoed by many other young women across the country.
The Evergreen State currently lets students play in programs that are consistent with their so-called gender identity.
Should the initiative ultimately pass, athletes would be required to play in programs that match their biological gender and to provide a statement from their doctor verifying their sex. It could go into effect in as soon as 30 days from final approval.
Not Just Conservatives Supporting The Measure
In a state where left-wing politics tend to rule and progressive Democrats own most of the elections, it’s notable that even in King County, home of deep-blue Seattle, 43% of voters supported keeping boys out of girls’ sports and locker rooms.
The historic nature of the vote hasn’t been lost on anyone, including Staudt.
“If we can show that a state like Washington has enough common sense to stand up for the girls and women, then any other state can do so as well,” Staudt said weeks before the election. “I think we need people to know that it’s possible to be done.”
On election night, the high-schooler was ecstatic.
“We did it!” she said, according to Outkick. “It’s not been an easy fight, and I’m so proud of us. And I’m so happy to be here with a victory. Washington people have had enough.
“I think this is a big bellwether for the state,” Let’s Go Washington founder Brian Heywood told Outkick. “This was citizens who are voting very blue still in a lot of ways saying, hey, it’s not a Republican/Democrat issue, it’s a parental issue, it’s a fairness in girls’ sports issue. And I think that carries a huge amount of weight.”
