Voters Approve Transgender Sports Restrictions in Four States

During the 2026 midterms, voters in Washington, Colorado, Arizona and Nebraska approved measures restricting transgender students’ participation in girls’ and women’s sports or strengthening existing limits. Washington’s Initiative 638 passed with 55.9% support, ending the state policy allowing transgender students to compete on teams aligned with their gender identity; it bars students it defines as biologically male from girls’ school sports and requires documentation to verify eligibility based on biological sex. Colorado’s sports measure passed with 52.2%, alongside a separate restriction on certain gender-related surgeries for minors. In Washington, parents and a teachers union have sued to block Initiative 638, and Seattle’s school board is pursuing legal action; Colorado Gov.-elect Philip Weiser has suggested lawmakers could revisit or adjust the voter-approved measures. Supporters say the restrictions protect fairness, while critics cite privacy concerns and harms to transgender students and say they will challenge the policies.