The 2026 midterm elections significantly reshaped the political landscape across the country. However, seats in Congress, state legislatures, and governorships were not the only matters on the ballot. In four states, voters considered ballot initiatives aimed at protecting women’s sports from male participation, and all four measures passed.
In Nebraska, the Fairness for Girls measure, or Initiative 442, passed with 68% of the votes, enshrining protections for women’s sports in the state constitution. Washington voters passed Initiative 638 by a 13-percentage-point margin, protecting girls’ sports in K-12 education. Colorado voters passed Proposition 134, which will require schools and athletic associations to designate sports teams according to biological sex. In Arizona, 59% of voters backed Proposition 318, expanding existing protections for women’s sports to cover all schools and providing privacy protections in locker rooms and restrooms. Click here to read a report by ADF.
These results are consistent with public opinion polls conducted over the past several years. According to a January 2025 New York Times/Ipsos poll, for instance, 79% of Americans believe male athletes should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports, including 67% of Democrats.
In Missouri, the Save Women’s Sports Act of 2023 required students to participate in school and collegiate sports according to their (biological) sex. However, that provision is set to expire in August 2027 unless lawmakers renew it.