Americans vote to protect girls' sports, keep trans boys out in these four states

In Washington, Initiative 638 was leading with 56.74 percent support, or 1,117,424 votes, compared with 43.26 percent opposed, or 851,957 votes, as of Tuesday night.

The initiative would prohibit biological males from competing in K–12 athletic programs reserved for female students. It would also require students seeking to participate in female sports to provide documentation from a healthcare provider verifying their biological sex.

The Washington vote followed weeks of controversy surrounding the Camas High School girls’ cross-country team. Nearly half the team walked away from the starting line October 13 rather than compete against a male teammate, bringing widespread attention to the state’s policy allowing athletes to compete according to gender identity.

The protests extended beyond Camas. Girls from Camas, Skyview and Battle Ground participated in the October 21 “Camas Courage” rally supporting female sports and Initiative 638. Battle Ground runner Elise Bierer also walked away from the starting line before that day’s district championship race.

The controversy continued into the final weekend before the election. Camas runner Logan Mihailoff, who began the season competing against boys, finished seventh in the girls’ regional race October 31, helping Camas secure a state championship berth. Puyallup finished eighth, one position outside the seven qualifying teams. A recalculation removing Mihailoff’s result would drop Camas from fourth to eighth and move Puyallup into the final qualifying position.

Colorado’s Proposition 134 was leading 52.37 percent to 47.63 percent, according to unofficial returns reported by Colorado Public Radio. The proposal initially trailed before moving ahead as additional votes were counted.

If approved, the measure would require K–12 schools and colleges to designate athletic teams as male, female or coeducational and enforce eligibility based on biological sex. Female students could participate on male teams when no corresponding female team is available. Colorado currently generally allows students to compete on teams matching their gender identity.

In Arizona, Proposition 318 had approximately 58 percent support in initial statewide returns, KJZZ reported. Republican legislators referred the proposal to voters over opposition from legislative Democrats.

Arizona already has a law barring biological males from girls’ sports. Proposition 318 would expand sex-based restrictions, including prohibiting schools and athletic associations from allowing students to use bathrooms, locker rooms or other designated private spaces that do not correspond with their sex recorded at birth. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed similar legislation in 2023, 2024 and 2025, according to KJZZ.

Nebraska’s Initiative 442 had the strongest support of the four measures. The decision was made at 3:25 am Eastern Wednesday with 488,432 votes in favor and 229,868 against, approximately 68 percent by Decision Desk HQ.

The Nebraska proposal would place protections for female sports into the state constitution, reinforcing requirements enacted in 2025. It would require covered schools and colleges to designate teams as male, female or coeducational and prohibit male students from participating on female teams.