2026 Ballot Measures
Vote NO on IL26-001, IL26-638, and IP26-645.
Intro
Three measures that impact children throughout Washington are on the November 3 ballot. The Washington State PTA board of directors has adopted a position on each.
Washington State PTA is nonpartisan. We do not support or oppose candidates for any office. We do take positions on ballot measures affecting children and public schools. Those positions are adopted by our board of directors and grounded in our member-adopted platform.
Last updated: 09/22/2026
At a glance
| Measure | On your ballot | WSPTA |
|---|---|---|
| IL26-001 “Parental rights in public schools” |
We support what this measure says it’s for. We oppose what its text actually does. Much of what it promises parents is already Washington law — and it strips out protections for students whose homes aren’t safe. | Vote NO |
| IL26-638 “Participation in athletics at K-12 schools” |
It makes a clinically unnecessary intimate examination the practical price of playing sports for many girls and forces disclosures that endanger transgender and gender-nonconforming students. | Vote NO |
| IP26-645 “State and local taxes” |
It doesn’t just repeal the Millionaire’s Tax. It bans any tax measured by income, broadly defined — at the state level and in every county and city in Washington — and the state estimates repeal would leave an $11.4 billion hole in the budget. | Vote NO |
IL26-001
Ballot title: “Initiative Measure No. IL26-001 concerns parental rights relating to their children in public schools.”
WSPTA position: Vote NO. Adopted by the WSPTA board of directors, July 2026.
We support what this measure says it’s for. We oppose what its text actually does. Much of what it promises parents is already Washington law — and it strips out protections for students whose homes aren’t safe.
What a NO vote does. Leaves Washington’s current parental rights law in place, including the rights the Legislature consolidated into a single statute in 2025 and the safety protections for students at risk at home.
Read more: WSPTA’s position statement on IL26-001 · Official text of IL26-001 · Frequently asked questions
IL26-638
Ballot title: “Initiative Measure No. IL26-638 concerns participation in athletics at K-12 schools.”
WSPTA position: Vote NO. Adopted by the WSPTA board of directors, July 2026.
Every student who wants to play a girls-only sport would have to provide a signed statement from their personal health care provider verifying their biological sex. It makes a clinically unnecessary intimate examination the practical price of playing for many girls, and forces disclosures that endanger transgender and gender-nonconforming students.
What a NO vote does. Leaves Washington’s current athletics law in place. No student would be required to obtain verification of their sex in order to participate.
Read more: WSPTA’s position statement on IL26-638 · Official text of IL26-638 · Frequently asked questions
Initiative 645
Ballot title: “Initiative Measure No. IP26-645 concerns state and local taxes.”
WSPTA position: Vote NO. Adopted by the WSPTA board of directors, August 2026.
WSPTA has never claimed the Millionaire’s Tax was written the way we wanted. In February we told our members we could not support the bill, because its commitment to K-12 education appeared in the intent section and not in the text that governs where the money goes. We asked legislators to write it in. They didn’t, and we’ll ask again in 2027. But repeal is a different question. IP26-645 doesn’t just repeal that tax — it bans any tax measured by income, broadly defined, at the state level and in every county and city in Washington. The state’s own estimate is an $11.4 billion revenue loss across fiscal years 2027–2031, from the general fund that supports public K-12 education, higher education, and human services.
What a NO vote does. Leaves the Millionaire’s Tax in place, and leaves the Legislature and local governments free to consider taxes based on income in the future.
Read more: WSPTA’s position statement on IP26-645 · Official text of IP26-645 · Frequently asked questions
What your PTA can do
Local PTAs and councils may adopt their own position to oppose a ballot measure. There are specific steps for doing it correctly.
Steps for Local PTAs and Councils
Already adopted a position? The Opposition Communications Toolkit has talking points, sample newsletter and social copy, and graphics your PTA can use.
Questions about what your PTA may and may not do: ptaadvocacydir@wastatepta.org, or join the WSPTA Advocacy Slack.
Key dates
Ballots mailed: around October 14 · Election Day: November 3, 2026
Register or check your registration at VoteWA.gov. The deadline to register online or by mail is October 26; in-person registration is open through 8 p.m. on Election Day.