On November 3, voters in four states used the ballot to lock in protections for women and children: girls’ sports rules, a ban on sex-change surgeries on minors, and life without parole for trafficking a child for sexual servitude. In Washington and Colorado, Democratic majorities had refused to enact those policies. In Arizona and Nebraska, lawmakers had already acted on girls’ sports; voters still used the ballot to strengthen or entrench the rules.
In states with a citizen initiative process, petitioners gather signatures to put a statute or constitutional amendment on the ballot. Lawmakers can pass the measure, reject it, or take no action and let voters decide. Washington’s sports measure reached voters that way after legislative leaders declined to take it up. Colorado’s three-measure package followed the same path after related bills died in House committees. Nebraska voters put similar sports rules into the state constitution so a future legislature cannot easily repeal them. Arizona’s legislature referred a stronger sports and facilities measure to the ballot after court fights over a 2022 law.
*Vote totals below are unofficial until each state certifies them.*
Washington: Initiative 638 — passed
Washington voters approved Initiative 638 with about 56.6% Yes. Unofficial results showed 1,254,275 Yes (56.58%) and 962,553 No (43.42%).
The measure bars male students from girls’ K–12 sports and requires students joining girls’ teams to provide sex verification from a health care provider. It takes effect December 3. Axios Seattle reported that opponents are considering a court challenge.
I-638 reached the ballot as an initiative to the Legislature. After Let’s Go Washington gathered enough signatures, House Speaker Laurie Jinkins and Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen said Democrats would not hold hearings or adopt the measure, sending it straight to voters. Republican bills on the same issue had previously stalled in the Democrat-controlled Legislature, according to the Seattle Times.
Colorado: Propositions 133, 134, and 135
Protect Kids Colorado gathered signatures for three statutory initiatives after the Democratic-controlled House killed matching bills in committee. Related legislation on trafficking penalties, girls’ sports, and sex-change surgeries for minors never reached the floor.
All three ballot measures were winning Thursday. The Denver Gazette listed Props 134 and 135 as passed. Prop 133 led by a wide margin in unofficial Secretary of State figures compiled by Rocky Mountain Voice.
Proposition 133 — child sex trafficking
Prop 133, the Children Are Not For Sale Act, expands the crime of human trafficking of a minor for sexual servitude and requires life in prison without parole for a conviction. Unofficial results showed about 62.2% Yes (1,458,340 Yes to 886,151 No).
Proposition 134 — girls’ sports
Prop 134 requires K–12 and collegiate teams to be designated male, female, or coed, with participation based on sex as defined by the biological reproductive system. Females may join male teams when no female team exists. Unofficial results showed about 52.7% Yes. The Denver Gazette listed it as passed.
Proposition 135 — sex-change surgeries on minors
Prop 135 prohibits surgeries on minors intended to alter biological sex characteristics and bars state or federal funds, Medicaid reimbursement, and insurance coverage for those procedures. It allows exceptions such as male circumcision and treatment for medically necessary developmental sex disorders. Unofficial results showed about 52.3% Yes. The Denver Gazette listed it as passed.
Because Props 133–135 change statutes rather than the constitution, the legislature can later revise or repeal them. Governor-elect Phil Weiser, who opposed the package, said Wednesday the measures need “a long, hard look” and that lawmakers could make “adjustments,” according to CBS Colorado.
Arizona: Proposition 318 — passed
Arizona voters approved Proposition 318, the Protect Girls’ Sports in Arizona Act, with about 58.9% Yes.
Arizona already had the 2022 Save Women’s Sports Act, signed by then-Gov. Doug Ducey, keeping males off girls’ and women’s school teams. Court challenges delayed enforcement until this year. Republican lawmakers referred Prop 318 to the ballot through House Concurrent Resolution 2003. It rewrites and strengthens the earlier statute: it defines sex by the original birth certificate; extends rules to athletic associations and to restrooms, locker rooms, and showers used for sports; and lets athletes sue over knowing violations. The new rules start January 1, 2027. Putting the stronger rules on the ballot makes them harder for a future legislature to unwind than ordinary statute alone.
Nebraska: Initiative 442 — passed
Nebraska voters approved Initiative 442 with about 68% Yes.
Nebraska already had a sports statute. In 2025 the Unicameral passed LB 89, the Stand With Women Act, setting school athletics participation rules based on biological sex. Initiative 442, a citizen petition led by the Fairness for Girls campaign, adds similar rules to the Nebraska Constitution so a future legislature cannot repeal them by simple majority. Schools must designate teams male, female, or coed based on sex, and male students may not compete on girls’ or women’s teams. It covers K–12 schools, public colleges, and private schools that compete against them. LB 89 remains law whether or not the amendment had passed; the ballot fight was about permanence.
*Results are unofficial until certified.*