Editor's note: This story has been updated to include comment from Kim Minnery, a co-sponsor of Proposition 1.

Initial results in Anchorage's local election Tuesday night showed a majority of voters rejecting a contentious ballot initiative to regulate restrooms, locker rooms and "intimate facilities" by sex at birth instead of gender identity, after what was one of the most expensive campaigns in city election history.

The measure, Proposition 1, would have rolled back a legal protection for transgender people that has been in effect for more than two years.

The results could change in the coming days. About 53 percent of the 50,000 ballots counted Tuesday night were "no" votes on Prop. 1, compared to 46 percent in favor. But at least an additional 16,000 ballots cast have been received by elections officials and not yet counted.

Updated results are expected to be posted starting Wednesday.

Kati Ward, campaign manager for the Fair Anchorage campaign, which opposed Prop. 1, said her group was hopeful Tuesday night.

"The Anchorage transgender community has stepped up and led this campaign in such an amazing, powerful way," she said. "While we know we don't have all the results tonight, we're cautiously optimistic."

Advocates of Proposition 1 — a local version of what's been known nationally as a "bathroom bill" — said the city's existing law, which allows people to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity, caused safety problems and discomfort for women.

Opponents said the initiative was a veiled attempt to discriminate against people who are transgender.

Kim Minnery, who co-sponsored the initiative, said Wednesday morning that she saw the initial margin as a victory either way.

"Obviously we're a little disappointed, but I think it will be close," Minnery said. "When you consider we were outspent 6-1, if we can get a close margin of victory or defeat, we would consider that an accomplishment."

The latest campaign finance reports show Fair Anchorage, a campaign that first formed in January 2016 to support the city's non-discrimination law, spending at least $800,000 on advertising, consulting services, phone banking and other campaign activities. The records indicate a large infusion of Outside money from a variety of donors.

Major businesses, including BP and Wells Fargo, came out against Prop. 1, saying it would hurt the city's economy.

In spending, the Fair Anchorage campaign dwarfed its opponents. Finance reports show that the "Yes on 1 — Protect Our Privacy" campaign, coordinated by the group Alaska Family Action, had spent roughly $123,000 as of late March.

Elsewhere on the ballot

Proposition 9, which would give parking authority to Girdwood, passing overwhelmingly with voters Tuesday night. Girdwood officials sought parking enforcement power after Slush Cup 2017 turned the ski community south of Anchorage into a parking lot.

But Proposition 12, a measure to expand the city's fire service area to include the Eagle River Valley, was being rejected by voters inside the service area.</s>Transgender rights in Anchorage will be protected from attack.

Voters in Anchorage, Alaska appear to have blocked the passing of a new anti-trans bathroom bill that would have stripped protections fron transgender invidiuals and required people in public spaces to use the bathroom corresponding to the sex assigned them at birth.

With all the ballots cast, the victory is as yet unofficial, though the Anchorage Press reports that 53% of citizens voted against the bill (titled Prop 1), while 46% voted for it.

Related | Trans Students Ask Federal Judge to Reverse School Board Bathroom Decision

The rights afforded transgender people in the Anchorage Assembly resolution of 2015 will thus remain intact.

Democrat Ethan Berkowitz, the mayor of Anchorage, also made headlines Tuesday night, winning re-election against opponent Rebecca Logan by a 57-38% margin.

Bathroom bills such as this have been proposed in various degrees around the country, drawing particular media attention in states like North Carolina and Texas.</s>When the Doctor Regrets Saying ‘Show Me Where It Hurts’ – WATCH

Voters in Anchorage, Alaska appear to have defeated Proposition 1, an anti-trans “bathroom bill” that would have forced people to use bathrooms corresponding with their birth certificate gender.

No on Prop 1 took 53 percent of the votes with yes getting 46 percent.

This failure of the referendum to pass would mean that laws would retain the rights afforded to transgender people as passed in the Anchorage Assembly resolution of 2015.</s>Alaska is one of the most beautiful states to visit, especially during the winter. The best way to take in all the sights though is probably by paramotoring. Chris Reynolds got some amazing paramotoring footage from high above Knik Glacier and the Chugach Mountains near Anchorage, Alaska. It makes us wish we were up there with him.</s>Officials in Anchorage and the State of Alaska say they are partnering to prosecute more cases of domestic violence and serious property crime in the city.

Under an agreement announced Friday, an Anchorage city prosecutor will work on felony cases in the state District Attorney’s office. Until now, city prosecutors have not typically handled felony cases. The agreement will also have two Anchorage police officers assisting in the state District Attorney office’s investigations.

According to the memorandum of understanding, the new special assistant district attorney will focus on felony domestic violence and, it specifies, property crime if workload allows.

The deal comes amid soaring caseloads for prosecutors and after years of budget cuts that have hit the state DA’s offices hard.

The city says the two officers are available now that Anchorage’s police department has expanded its ranks. A city spokesperson says it will be sending a seasoned municipal prosecutor over to work in the state DA’s office, and hiring a new prosecutor to work on Anchorage misdemeanors.</s>Alaska Airlines, together with Virgin America and its regional partners, flies 44 million guests a year to more than 115 destinations with an average of 1,200 daily flights across the United States and to Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica. With Alaska and Alaska Global Partners guests can earn and redeem miles on flights to more than 900 destinations worldwide. Learn more about Alaska's award-winning service at newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines, Virgin America and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK).
Voters in Anchorage, Alaska, United States, reject a proposed amendment to the city charter which would have restricted public restroom use to the gender appearing on the user's birth certificate.