A lawsuit aimed at blocking Nevada’s proposed “Protect Girls’ Sports” ballot measure has mostly failed, clearing the way for supporters to keep gathering signatures to place the issue before voters in 2026.
The legal challenge was filed by the Nevada chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW). The group argued the proposal should be stopped before it ever reaches the ballot.
But a Carson City judge dismissed most of the case.
The ruling means the initiative effort backed by Gov. Joe Lombardo can continue.
The court did require one change. Petition forms must now clearly state that the measure would create an exception to Nevada’s Equal Rights Amendment.
What the Proposal Would Do
The “Protect Girls’ Sports” initiative, if voters approve it, would amend Nevada’s constitution to require school sports teams to be organized as male, female, or co-ed.
It would also limit participation on girls’ teams to athletes whose biological sex at birth is female.
The policy would apply to both K-12 schools and colleges across Nevada.
Many parents and coaches argue that biological differences between males and females create an uneven playing field in competitive sports.
A recent poll by Gallup found that about 69 percent of Americans believe athletes should compete on teams that match their biological sex.
It’s not a fringe opinion. Supporters say the initiative reflects what many families already believe.
Why Opponents Filed the Lawsuit
Opponents say the initiative goes too far.
The Nevada chapter of National Organization for Women argued in court that the ballot description was misleading.
According to the lawsuit, the summary did not clearly explain that the proposal would create an exception to Nevada’s Equal Rights Amendment.
Nevada voters added that amendment to the state constitution in 2022. It guarantees equal rights regardless of factors such as race, religion, or gender identity.
NOW argued voters might not fully understand the legal impact of the proposed sports rule.
The judge partly agreed on that narrow point.
While dismissing most of the lawsuit, the court ordered petition organizers to update their ballot summary so it clearly explains the Equal Rights Amendment exception.
In other words, the initiative survived the lawsuit, but will get some added wording.
The Next Big Test: Signatures
Now the focus shifts to signature gathering.
To qualify for the 2026 ballot, supporters must collect 37,197 valid signatures in each of Nevada’s four congressional districts. That adds up to roughly 150,000 signatures statewide.
The deadline is June 24, 2026.
That adds up to roughly 150,000 signatures statewide once invalid or duplicate signatures are factored in.
If supporters reach that goal, Nevada voters will get the final say in the November 2026 election.
And Nevada is not alone in facing this issue.
Many states have already passed laws restricting girls’ sports teams to biological females.
Supporters say those laws protect opportunities for female athletes.
Critics say they unfairly target transgender students.
The debate is now moving directly to Nevada voters.
For a lot of families, this issue is personal.
Parents with daughters in sports just want fair competition.
The court ruling means the fight will likely continue through Nevada’s courts, the signature-gathering process, and possibly the Nevada Supreme Court.
But if the petitions succeed, the final decision will not belong to lawyers or judges.
It will belong to Nevada voters.
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