What’s Happening
A major effort is now underway in Nevada to protect female athletes. The Protect Girls’ Sports initiative has officially launched its signature collection campaign, and organizers need your help.
To get this measure on the ballot, supporters must gather 200,000 signatures by the end of May. That’s a big lift, but organizers say it’s doable with the right network of volunteers across the state.
Petition packets are available right now at two Lombardo Campaign headquarters locations:
- In Las Vegas, head to 8625 W. Sahara Ave.
- In Reno, stop by 3652 South Virginia Street, Suite C7.
When you pick up packets, you’ll need to fill out a sign-out sheet.
They Tried to Stop It Before It Started
Opponents didn’t wait long to go to court. On January 29, Sue Burtch, who leads the Nevada chapter of the National Organization for Women, filed a lawsuit in the First Judicial District Court in Carson City. The plaintiff asked the court to declare the initiative invalid, prohibit the Secretary of State from placing the petition on the 2026 general election ballot, and prohibit the Protect Girls’ Sports PAC from gathering signatures.
The legal challenge contended that the measure’s summary was misleading, that it requires spending money without identifying a funding source, and that it violates the constitution’s separation of powers clause.
The court heard arguments on February 20. Five days later, the judge ruled.
Carson City District Court Judge Jason Woodbury dismissed the challenge seeking to throw out the initiative before it got to voters, but revised the supplemental language to explicitly note that the measure would amend the Nevada Constitution’s right to equality regardless of gender identity or expression.
In plain English: the petition survived, but had to be refiled with updated wording. The petition was refiled on February 26.
Nearly three weeks later, the signature drive is finally underway.
And it may not be the last legal fight. Observers expect the losing side to appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court, which could trigger another round of delays. The clock is ticking. Every week spent in a courtroom is a week that can’t be spent collecting signatures.
That’s exactly what opponents have been doing at every step – using the courts to delay, complicate, and if possible kill this initiative before Nevada voters ever get a chance to weigh in. It hasn’t worked so far.
Why This Matters to Conservatives
This isn’t just about sports. It’s about fairness, common sense, and protecting opportunities that Title IX fought hard to create for girls and women decades ago.
For conservatives who believe in clear, commonsense rules, this issue hits close to home. Girls who work their whole lives to compete in sports deserve a level playing field. When biological males are allowed to compete in women’s categories, female athletes can lose scholarships, medals, and opportunities they earned.
Parents across Nevada are frustrated. They’re watching their daughters work hard every day, only to wonder if the rules will be changed underneath them. This initiative gives regular Nevadans a chance to have their say at the ballot box.
More than 20 other states have already passed laws protecting girls’ sports. Nevada voters deserve the same opportunity to weigh in.
How the Signature Process Works
This is where your help is needed most. The campaign needs boots on the ground across every corner of Nevada.
A few things to know before you head out. Only registered voters can sign. Signatures must be in pen. Each petition sheet can only include signatures from one congressional district, so you can’t mix them. If someone isn’t sure which district they’re in, this link can help: house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative.
Going door to door is the most effective approach. It keeps signatures organized and improves the rate of valid signatures that will actually count.
A few things you should never do: don’t pressure anyone to sign, don’t help someone else sign, and never fill in names or addresses that aren’t real. That’s fraud, and it’s a crime. If you’re collecting at a public location like a grocery store and someone asks you to leave, pack up calmly and go.
When you’re done collecting, get your petition notarized before turning it in. Keep your completed petitions in a safe place at all times.
What You Can Do Right Now
The campaign is counting on county parties, clubs, and community groups to spread the word and recruit volunteers. If you have a personal or professional network, now is the time to use it.
You can pick up petition packets at either Lombardo Campaign headquarters location. If you need more petitions or have questions, contact Logan Gifford at Logan.Gifford98@gmail.com.
Visit ProtectGirlsSportsNevada.com for more information.
The deadline is the end of May. Two hundred thousand signatures won’t collect themselves. But if every reader of this article recruits just a few friends and neighbors, Nevada will make that goal.
This is your chance to make sure Nevada voters get to decide this question for themselves.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
