SEATTLE — There are several initiatives to the legislature in the works for 2026, with the deadline to submit 308,911 valid signatures quickly approaching.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | What is an initiative to the legislature? And how many are in the works right now?
First, here is how an initiative to the legislature works:
- For any given issue, petitioners must collect 308,911 valid signatures. Signatures are valid if they are by a registered and eligible voter of Washington State; even if someone signs twice, their signature will only count towards that number once.
- Signatures are due on January 2, 2026. If the Secretary of State finds the group collected enough signatures, their issue goes to the legislature.
- The legislature can do three things once they have the proposed law: lawmakers can pass the initiative as is; refuse to act, therefore putting it on the November 2026 ballot for the people to vote up or down; or put it on the November 2026 ballot with a competing measure next to it for voters to decide between.
Let’s Go Washington, a conservative advocacy group, is collecting signatures for two issues right now.
The group has 315,979 signatures for IL26-638, or the “Protecting Fairness in Girls’ Sports” act. If enacted, it would prohibit transgender girls from playing on teams that align with their gender identity. Students who want to play on a gendered sports team must have a physical, as already required by the state, that proves their biological sex.
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Under IL26-638, students who want to play on a gendered sports team must have a physical, as already required by the state, that proves their biological sex. Supporters call it necessary to protect young girls. Opponents said that, if enacted, it would only marginalize an already small group.
For IL26-001, or the “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” Let’s Go Washington has 289,571 signatures so far. Supporters want it enacted to ensure that parents know everything going on in their children’s schools, but opposers said that the law is already clear and works for parents.
The group said its goal is to collect 400,000 signatures for each issue by January 2, assuming that not all of them will be valid.
Signatures are also being collected for another initiative, called IL26-126, that aims to require proof of citizenship in order to register to vote. That one is being worked on by the state GOP.
