Voters in four states—Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, and Washington—approved ballot measures in the 2024 midterm elections that restrict transgender students' participation in school sports based on sex assigned at birth. With more than 95% of votes counted in each state, all measures passed, though the specifics varied by jurisdiction.
Arizona, Colorado, and Nebraska voters approved measures requiring schools to designate athletic teams as male, female, or co-ed based on sex assigned at birth. The measures also prohibit students from using facilities or joining teams inconsistent with their birth sex. In Washington, voters passed a measure barring students assigned male at birth from competing on female-only sports teams, with a requirement for health provider verification of sex.
Arizona’s Proposition 318 passed with 58.7% support, while Colorado’s Proposition 134 passed narrowly at 52.2%. Nebraska’s Initiative 442 secured 67.9% approval, and Washington’s Measure 638 passed with a similar margin. The measures take effect at different times: Nebraska’s amendment is immediate, while Colorado’s provisions will be enacted on January 1, 2027.
Policy Details by State
Arizona (Proposition 318)
- Requires all schools and athletic associations to designate teams as male, female, or co-ed based on birth sex.
- Bars students, athletes, and employees from using facilities or joining teams not designated for their birth sex.
- Passed with 58.7% in favor.
Colorado (Proposition 134)
- Mandates that student athletes participate only on teams matching their birth sex.
- Requires schools, colleges, and athletic associations to designate teams by sex.
- Also includes a ban on gender surgeries for minors (Proposition 135), effective January 1, 2027.
- Passed with 52.2% in favor.
Nebraska (Initiative 442)
- Amends the state constitution to require schools to designate teams as male, female, or coeducational.
- Prohibits male participation on female teams.
- Passed with 67.9% in favor.
Washington (Measure 638)
- Bars students assigned male at birth from competing on female-only sports teams.
- Requires health care provider verification of sex for participation.
- Passed with a majority, though exact vote totals were not fully detailed in sources.
Rationale and Opposition
Supporters of the measures argue they ensure fair competition and protect the integrity of women’s sports by preventing transgender girls from participating on female teams. They contend that sex assigned at birth is the most objective standard for team designation. In Colorado, proponents cited the need to prevent irreversible medical procedures for minors, with Proposition 135 banning gender surgeries and insurance coverage for such procedures.
Opponents, including LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, argue the measures discriminate against transgender students and deny them equal access to school activities. They contend that such policies increase mental health risks for transgender youth by excluding them from sports. Critics also note that the measures contradict existing state laws in some cases, such as Colorado’s prior protections for gender-affirming care.
Broader Context and Implications
The ballot measures reflect a national trend of state-level restrictions on transgender rights following legislative and judicial battles. In Colorado, the measures mark a shift after years of unsuccessful legislative attempts to enact similar restrictions. The state’s Democratic-controlled legislature had previously passed bills to expand gender-affirming care access, but voters approved the new restrictions via ballot initiatives.
The measures also intersect with healthcare policy, particularly in Colorado, where Proposition 135 bans gender surgeries for minors and prohibits private insurance and Medicaid coverage for such procedures. Supporters argue minors lack the maturity to make irreversible medical decisions, while opponents call the ban an overreach that harms transgender youth.
Long-Term Impact
The measures are expected to take effect in the coming months and years, with Nebraska’s amendment already in place and Colorado’s provisions delayed until 2027. The policies may face legal challenges from advocacy groups, particularly regarding their compliance with federal Title IX protections. Schools and athletic associations in the affected states will need to update policies to align with the new requirements, including facility access and team designations.