Washington State ballot measures target trans youth and millionaires tax — what it means for cities

Washington State voters face three ballot initiatives this November that, if passed, would mandate invasive genital inspections for schoolgirls, restrict confidential access to school counsellors for vulnerable children, and repeal the state’s popular millionaires tax that funds housing, schools, and childcare. While the measures are state-wide, their impact would be concentrated in urban areas like Seattle, where the millionaires tax generates billions for city services and where school districts serve large numbers of LGBTQIA+ students.

The initiatives — numbered I-638, I-001, and I-645 — are backed by Let’s Go Washington, a political action committee funded by hedge fund manager Brian Heywood, and have drawn support from Elon Musk’s America PAC. Opponents argue they represent a coordinated effort to import national culture-war tactics into a state that has long prided itself on progressive governance.

Key facts

I-638: Mandatory sex inspections for schoolgirls

Initiative 638 would require all girls participating in elementary, middle, or high school sports to undergo sex inspections to verify their gender. Medical professionals have stated that compliance would likely involve invasive genital examinations or expensive genetic and hormone testing, neither of which is considered medically necessary and may not be covered by insurance.

The measure explicitly exempts boys’ sports from any such requirement, a provision critics call blatantly discriminatory. Supporters frame the initiative as protecting women’s sports, but opponents note that Washington already has policies governing transgender athlete participation and that no documented cases of unfair advantage have been cited.

For urban school districts like Seattle Public Schools, which serve diverse student populations and have non-discrimination policies, the measure would create operational and legal challenges. School administrators would need to determine how to implement medical testing requirements without clear state guidance or funding.

I-001: Limits on school counsellor confidentiality

Initiative 001 would require schools to obtain parental consent before a student can speak confidentially with a school counsellor or nurse about sensitive issues, including gender identity, sexuality, or family problems. Supporters describe it as a “parents’ rights” measure, but opponents argue it would endanger children who face abuse or rejection at home.

Data from Washington State shows more than 115,000 reports of child abuse in 2024 alone. Homeless youth service providers report that the majority of homeless young people in Seattle and other urban areas are LGBTQIA+ individuals who have been forced out of their homes or left because they felt unsafe.

Current law already gives parents the right to opt their children out of specific curriculum or programs and to communicate with school staff. Critics of I-001 say the measure would strip vulnerable children of their only safe access to trusted adults, potentially increasing the number of young people on the streets or in crisis.

I-645: Repeal of the millionaires tax

Initiative 645 would repeal Washington’s tax on capital gains above a certain threshold, popularly known as the millionaires tax. The tax, which applies to a small number of wealthy individuals, generated billions of dollars in its first years for public schools, childcare subsidies, free school meals, and tax rebates for working families.

For urban local authorities, the revenue has been particularly important. Seattle and other cities have used the funds to support affordable housing programs, early childhood education, and public school operations. The tax also funds Business and Occupation (B&O) tax cuts for small businesses, including tech startups.

Proponents of repeal argue the tax drives wealthy individuals and businesses out of the state, but data does not support this claim. The Seattle metro area remains the second-largest tech hub in the United States, and companies that have relocated headquarters — such as Oracle’s move to Nashville — have added minimal net new jobs. Over 100 Seattle Starbucks employees chose to lose their jobs rather than relocate to states with fewer protections for LGBTQIA+ rights.

Urban consequences

For readers focused on city policy, the three initiatives carry direct consequences for housing, schools, and public services. Repealing the millionaires tax would reduce funding streams that support affordable housing development, school construction, and social services in urban areas. Restricting school counsellor confidentiality could increase the number of homeless LGBTQIA+ youth, adding pressure to already strained shelter and support systems. Mandating genital inspections for schoolgirls would create legal exposure for urban school districts and could deter families from enrolling children in public school sports programs.

Opponents of the measures, including the Urbanist Elections Committee, have endorsed a “no” vote on all three initiatives. The editorial board of The Urbanist, a Seattle-based urbanism publication, described the measures as “harmful” and “a distraction from real problems like exorbitant groceries, escalating rents, and disappearing health care.”

The initiatives are on the ballot for the November 2026 election. Voters in Washington State will decide whether to adopt or reject each measure individually.

Source: The Urbanist, “Op-Ed: Stop MAGA from Taking Over Washington, Vote No on I-645, I-001, and I-638” — https://www.theurbanist.org/op-ed-stop-maga-from-taking-over-washington-vote-no-on-i-645-i-001-and-i-638/