A new poll suggests that voters in heavily Democratic Washington state could approve a controversial ballot measure restricting transgender athletes from competing in girls’ school sports, with support extending across party lines.
The survey, released by the conservative political organization Let’s Go Washington, found that 56% of likely voters support Initiative 638, which would prohibit students defined by the measure as biologically male from participating in certain K-12 athletic competitions designated for girls.
The results showed 24% opposition, with approximately 22% undecided, according to figures released by the organization.
Perhaps most notably, the survey found substantial support among Democratic and independent voters, despite Washington’s longstanding reputation as a Democratic stronghold.
According to the poll, 73% of Republicans supported the proposal, compared with 48% of Democrats and 52% of independents.
The findings come less than a month before Washington voters decide the measure in the November 3 election.
Let’s Go Washington surveyed approximately 7,500 likely voters in August, according to information released by the organization.
However, the full polling methodology and margin of error have not been made public, making it difficult to independently evaluate the survey’s accuracy.
The organization sponsoring the poll is also leading the campaign to approve Initiative 638.
Nevertheless, the reported numbers have attracted attention because they suggest disagreement over transgender participation in school athletics extends beyond traditional partisan divisions.
Hallie Herzberg, a spokesperson for Let’s Go Washington, said the findings were consistent with what campaign volunteers had encountered while speaking with voters.
The organization argues that many Washington residents support sex-based athletic eligibility requirements but are reluctant to express those views publicly because of concerns about criticism.
That interpretation has not been independently established by the polling data.
Washington Democrats have also acknowledged that the initiative could produce a competitive statewide vote.
Stephen Reed, a spokesperson for the Washington State Democratic Party, told public radio reporters that the contest could be close.
“This is not a slam dunk like some folks think it might be,” Reed said.
Initiative 638 would establish new eligibility requirements for girls’ athletic competitions in Washington’s public K-12 schools.
Under the proposal, students defined as biologically male would be prohibited from competing in certain interscholastic athletic activities designated exclusively for female students.
The initiative would also require students seeking to participate in girls’ sports to provide verification of their biological sex from a healthcare provider.
According to the official ballot summary, verification could be based on reproductive anatomy, genetic makeup or naturally produced testosterone levels.
The requirements would apply to both individual and team competitions.
The proposal would represent a significant departure from Washington’s current approach, which generally permits transgender students to participate in school athletics consistent with their gender identity.
Supporters argue that the restrictions are necessary to preserve competitive fairness and athletic opportunities for female students.
Opponents maintain that the proposal would discriminate against transgender children and could create intrusive verification requirements affecting other students as well.
Let’s Go Washington has made the initiative one of its major priorities for the November election.
The organization, founded by conservative activist and businessman Brian Heywood, argues that existing policies place female athletes at a competitive disadvantage.
Its campaign has emphasized concerns about physical differences between male and female athletes, competitive opportunities and privacy in school athletic facilities.
The organization reports collecting more than 445,000 signatures in support of the initiative, exceeding the number required to qualify the proposal for consideration.
Supporters have also highlighted testimony from female student athletes who say they have experienced unfair competition or uncomfortable situations involving transgender athletes.
The campaign argues that establishing sex-based eligibility requirements would preserve opportunities created through decades of efforts to expand women’s participation in athletics – something the Democratic Party spent decades fighting for.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
