Clark County residents gathered Tuesday night at a Redmond ranch to watch the first returns from the Nov. 3 ballot. The crowd cheered as Initiative 638, which bars biologically male students from competing in girls’ athletic events, surged ahead with 56.7% of the vote. At the same time, voters turned down two other measures: Initiative 645, a proposal to repeal Washington’s newly adopted income tax, and Initiative 001, which would restore a 2024‑style Parents’ Bill of Rights.
Initiative 638 passes, protecting girls’ sports
Initial returns showed Initiative 638 winning by a margin of 56.7% to 42.2%. Frances Staudt, a Tumwater High School student who became the public face of the campaign, addressed the cheering crowd. “It truly means so much. You all stood behind me in this fight and for the girls of Washington. I’m so thankful that finally, girls sports are going to be for girls in Washington,” she said.
The measure’s text states that biologically male students may not compete with female students in athletic activities that are intended for female participants and are individual or team competitions. Supporters emphasized that the rule simply requires a checkbox on a sports‑physical form indicating the student’s biological sex—no invasive examinations are needed. Opponents, including the political action committee No Hate in WA State, warned that the initiative could create privacy concerns and target a very small number of transgender athletes.
Income‑tax repeal initiative fails
Initiative 645, the most heavily funded contest on the ballot, sought to overturn Washington’s recent income‑tax law. Early results showed a decisive rejection, with roughly 58% voting “No” and 42% voting “Yes.” Let’s Go Washington (LGW), the conservative political action committee that sponsored the measure, had urged a “Yes” vote, arguing that the so‑called “millionaires’ tax” would eventually be extended to lower‑income earners.
LGW’s statement claimed the tax was a “legal test case designed to open the door to a broader statewide income tax” and accused Senator Jamie Pedersen of working with the Attorney General’s Office to sidestep voters. The opposing committee, NO‑645, countered that the tax would affect only the top half‑percent of earners while cutting taxes for the remaining 99.5% of Washingtonians.
Despite the heated debate and millions of dollars spent by both sides, the electorate chose to keep the income‑tax law in place.
Parental‑rights measure falls short
Initiative 001, which would reinstate the 2024 version of Washington’s Parents’ Bill of Rights and expand parents’ access to school records, trailed with 52.75% “No” votes to 47.25% “Yes.” The proposal would have allowed parents greater access to medical and mental‑health records held by public schools.
Critics warned that the measure could deter at‑risk students from seeking needed help and roll back protections for children experiencing abuse. Rep. Monica Stonier (D‑Vancouver) noted that schools already have exemptions when a child’s safety is at stake. LGW, the sponsor, argued that existing state law already protects abused children and that “no government employee can care about or love your child like you do.”
Reactions and next steps
Washington State Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad called the night a victory for Democrats, citing the defeat of the tax‑repeal initiative. “Best one of the best election nights in my lifetime,” she said.
Final results are expected from the Secretary of State’s office on Wednesday morning. The outcomes will shape the state’s approach to school transparency, tax policy, and the protection of girls’ athletic opportunities for years to come.
Original reporting: Clark County Today (Vancouver WA) — read the source article.
