WA Newspaper Declines Pro-I-638 Op-Ed Weeks Before Election, Supporter Says

A Washington Initiative 638 supporter is questioning the Bainbridge Island Review's decision not to publish her opinion column responding to criticism of the ballot measure. Anderson says the newspaper previously published an op-ed from the chair of Bainbridge Island's Race Equity Advisory Committee opposing Initiative 638, a measure at the center of Washington's debate over girls' school sports. She argues that the earlier column misrepresented the initiative, including claims about when certain requirements would apply and how student athletes could be affected. Anderson says she submitted a separate op-ed supporting Initiative 638 and explaining her interpretation of the measure. According to her account, the newspaper's editor initially invited her to submit the piece but later told her it would not be published. She questions that decision with the election approaching, arguing that voters should have access to competing perspectives on the controversial ballot measure. The dispute raises questions about Initiative 638, school sports policy, editorial discretion, election coverage and how local newspapers handle competing political viewpoints. Subscribe to The Center Square for more Washington state news, election coverage, education policy and government accountability. #Initiative638 #WashingtonState #GirlsSports #BainbridgeIsland #WashingtonElection #EducationPolicy #MediaAccountability