Democrats push back across the nation after voters approve girls' sports protections

The battle over girls' sports is moving from ballot boxes to courtrooms as the years-long national debate has gotten a new wrinkle this month.

Democrats are turning victories for the "save women's sports" movement into fresh fights to reject the will of American voters.

Voters in four states approved measures restricting transgender participation in school sports this month, but Democratic leaders in Washington and are either backing court challenges or considering changes to what voters passed.

JACKSON THOMPSON: WASHINGTON STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CALLS GIRLS' SPORTS INITIATIVE UNCONSTITUTIONAL

The results highlight a divide between approval at the ballot box and acceptance among political leaders, even as some officials and athletic administrators commit to following the new laws.

Washingtons Initiative 638 passed with roughly 56% support. It prohibits biological males from competing in female school sports and requires students seeking to participate in girls athletics to provide healthcare documentation verifying their sex.

The Washington State Democratic Party quickly made clear that it supported continued resistance.

"The fight over I-638 is just beginning," the party said in a Nov. 6 statement.

The party argued the initiative violates the constitution and endorsed organizations planning court challenges.

The ACLU of Washington, Legal Voice and Pacifica Law Group subsequently sued on behalf of the state teachers union, a nonprofit and parents. The lawsuit argues that the measure discriminates against transgender girls and imposes unequal privacy burdens on girls seeking to play school sports.

The challengers seek to prevent the initiative from taking effect Dec. 3.

Seattles school board separately authorized legal action over the measure, citing concerns about privacy, equal treatment and conflicts with existing protections. That authorization allows the district to pursue legal action; it does not itself suspend the initiative.

Democratic Attorney General Nick Brown, meanwhile, appointed outside law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner to defend the law on the states behalf.

"My personal views do not dictate what laws get defended or the strength of that defense," Brown said.

ADF SEEKS TO DEFEND WASHINGTON GIRLS' SPORTS MEASURE, ARGUES STATE CANNOT FULLY REPRESENT FEMALE ATHLETES

Brown said the arrangement would ensure the initiative receives a defense while allowing his office to continue its other work protecting transgender rights.

Alliance Defending Freedom filed a motion on behalf of Female Athletes United to defend Washingtons voter-approved girls sports initiative against an ACLU-backed lawsuit, arguing that the state cannot adequately represent the athletes interests, on Friday.

The Nov. 13 motion asks to allow Female Athletes United to join the case as a defendant to defend Initiative 638. The request seeks the courts permission to participate; it is not an order granting intervention.

In Colorado, voters