INITIATIVES3: Nevada process

Initiatives allow Nevada citizens to utilize a petition circulation process to propose new legislation, amend the Nevada Constitution or existing state statutes, or approve or disapprove of existing laws.  Initiatives are a device by which voters can enact or amend state and local laws, including the Nevada Constitution. 

Who can initiate?

The 2017 Legislature approved Assembly Bill 45, which requires a person who intends to circulate a statewide initiative or referendum petition to provide certain information to the Secretary of State’s office prior to collecting signatures.  The information required to be provided includes the name an signature of the person filing the petition, the names of up to three individuals who are authorized to withdraw or amend the petition, and the name of the Political Action Committee (PAC) formed to advocate for the passage of the petition.  This information must be submitted on a form at the same time a copy of the petition is filed with the Secretary of State's office.  Click on the link below to fill out and print a copy of the form prior to coming to the Secretary of State’s office. or a constitutional initiative to qualify for a Ballot Question in 2026: Statewide petitions filed for the 2026 election cycle require 148,788 valid ignatures from registered Nevada voters, including at least 37,197 signatures from each of the four Petition Districts in Nevada (see NRS 293.127563).  Petition Districts have the same geographic boundaries as Congressional Districts. 

How many election cycles

If voters approve the Ballot Question during the 2026 election, the approved amendment will then be added to the 2028 election. The approved amendment must be passed by voters in two successive general elections before it can be added to the Nevada Constitution. Once an initiative has been passed in two election cycles, the law requires that it can only be removed if two-thirds of the registered Nevada voters agree. Currently, there is a petition being circulated to Protect Women’s Sports. Petitioners must collect 200,000 registered voters’ signatures by May 30, 2026, to have the initiative placed on the November general election ballot. Protect Girls’ Sports Ballot Initiative

Overview:

The amended Protect Girls’ Sports Initiative would amend the Nevada Constitution to require publicly funded athletic competitions to be organized based on biological sex at birth, while allowing co-ed participation and preserving opportunities for female athletes to compete in male teams if necessary. The measure creates a specific exception within Nevada’s Equal Rights Amendment to ensure that women’s and girls’ athletic competitions remain limited to biological females.

Key Provisions:

Athletic Teams Must Be Designated by Biological Sex Publicly funded athletic programs must classify sports teams and competitions as one of the following:

 Male

 Female

 Coeducational / Mixed-sex

This requirement applies to any entity receiving state funds that operates or facilitates athletic programs, including public schools and colleges. Female Sports Reserved for Biological Females

Under the amendment:

 Sports designated for females, women, or girls may not be open to biological males.

 Biological sex is determined by an individual’s birth certificate issued at birth.

Participation Opportunities Remain Available

The proposal allows:

 Biological males to participate in male teams or co-ed teams

 Biological females to participate in female teams

 Biological females may also participate in male teams if no comparable female team is available

Both biological males and females may participate in co-educational sports or

competitions.

Definitions Included in the Amendment

The measure defines key terms:

 Sex / Biological Sex: An individual’s biological status as male or female based on their birth certificate.

 Female / Woman / Girl: An individual of the human female sex.

The amendment specifies that sex is not synonymous with gender identity or gender expression.

Constitutional Structure

The initiative amends Article 1, Section 24 of the Nevada Constitution, which currently guarantees equality of rights.

The amendment creates a limited exception allowing biological-sex-based classifications for athletics.

Implementation

If approved by voters:

 The amendment becomes effective after voter approval and certification of election results by the Nevada Supreme Court.

 If any portion of the amendment is ruled invalid, the remaining provisions remain

in effect (severability clause).

The full Initiative Petition:

Explanation: - Matter in italics are new.

Section 1. Equality of Rights:

1. Except as otherwise set forth in Subsection 2, equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by this State or any of its political subdivisions on account of race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry, or national origin.

2. The State and its political subdivisions shall designate athletic participation in all athletic competitions, including team sports, as one of the following based upon biological sex at birth: (a) for males, men, or boys; (b) for females, women or girls: or (c) coeducational or mixed-sex. This subsection applies to all recipients of State funds who operate, sponsor, or facilitate athletic programs or activities. An athletic team or sport designated for biological females, women, or girls shall not be open to biological males. A female may participate in a sport or on a team designated for males if no corresponding team for females is available.

3. As used in this Section:
(a) “Sex”, “biological male” “biological female”, or “biological sex” refers to an individual’s biological status as either male or female based upon the individual’s birth certificate issued at the time of birth. For the purposes of this Section, “sex” is not synonymous with gender identity or gender expression; and
(b) “Female”, “woman”, and “girl” refer to an individual of the human female sex. The term “sex” is not a synonym for and does not include the concept of ”gender identity”.

4. If any part of this Act be declared invalid, or the application thereof to any person, thing, or circumstance is held invalid, then such validity shall not affect the remaining provisions or application of this Act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are declared to be everable. This sub section shall be construed broadly to preserve and effectuate the declared purpose of this Act.

5. This Act shall become effective upon passage by the voters and upon completion of the canvass of votes by the Supreme Court.