GOP rallies around Prop 318 as campaign targets alleged copycat site

Arizona's Prop 318 campaign opened a new front Tuesday, with the Yes side filing a campaign finance complaint over what it calls a copycat website that mimics its branding and hides who is behind it. At the same time, Republicans looking to flip top statewide offices are lining up behind the measure, according to the Arizona Mirror.

Proposition 318, titled "Protect Girls Sports in Arizona" by GOP lawmakers, heads to voters on Nov. 3, 2026. The Yes-on-318 campaign says the measure designates sports as Male, Female, or Co-Ed and is aimed at ensuring fairness for female athletes, while keeping opportunities for everyone to play.

The political consequence is immediate. The Arizona Mirror reported that GOP candidates seeking Arizona's top three statewide offices are embracing Prop 318 as a wedge in November, while the complaint could draw regulator attention if the Secretary of State or Attorney General take it up. No ruling or investigation has been announced.

Campaign chairman and attorney Tim LaSota said the opposing website is "deceitful," "pretending to be something it's not," and lacks the required "Paid for" disclosure. He added that the URL ownership is masked and argued the tactics are "ethically wrong and likely illegal." The campaign said it filed a finance complaint with the Secretary of State and asked the Attorney General to review possible consumer protection issues, the Arizona Daily Independent reported.

The Yes campaign published the two domains at issue: its site at https://ProtectGirlsSportsinAZ.vote and an opposing lookalike at https://ProtectGirlsSportsAZ.vote. The complaint alleges the latter fails to disclose a committee or contact. Whether election officials agree remains to be seen.

State Rep. Selina Bliss, who sponsored HCR 2003 to refer the measure to the ballot, amplified the charge on X, calling the opposing site a "disgraceful trick" and a "clear violation of election law" in her view. Bliss highlighted the similar graphics and missing disclosure and urged a Yes vote on Prop 318, per the ADI account.

The Yes-on-318 campaign also rolled out honorary co-chairs Christine Jones and former state treasurer Jeff DeWit. "Prop 318... will designate sports Male, Female, Co-Ed, ensuring fairness for females, and the opportunity for everyone to play," Jones said, calling it "common sense" and urging voters to "make girls' sports in Arizona FEMALE again."

DeWit, a former college athlete and father of three daughters, said girls deserve "a fair and level playing field," arguing Title IX protections should be preserved. He said Arizona can treat everyone with dignity and still reserve women's sports for biological females.

Opposition framing has been sharp. The Arizona Mirror labeled Prop 318 an anti-trans measure and reported critics' claim that it would force schools to police bathrooms and locker rooms. Supporters counter that the ballot language is about categories in athletics and fairness for female competitors.

Bottom line for voters: Prop 318 is a ballot question, not law, and the website dispute is an allegation, not an adjudication. The campaign's complaint invites state regulators to referee disclosure rules, while the policy fight itself is headed where it belongs in November, to the ballot box.

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