Four states back restrictions on transgender athletes

Measures advance in four states

Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska and Washington backed or were on track to back measures restricting transgender athletes’ participation in school sports. The issue has been a policy focus of the Trump administration.

Arizona’s measure had about 59% support as of late Wednesday. Colorado’s Proposition 134 had 52% support at that point. Nebraska’s measure amended the state constitution, while Washington’s initiative was set to impose new participation and documentation rules.

The measures in Colorado, Nebraska and Washington reached voters through ballot initiatives. Arizona lawmakers referred their state’s measure to the ballot.

What the measures would do

Arizona’s measure expands existing restrictions to private athletic associations. It also bars schools and athletic organizations from allowing people to use bathrooms, locker rooms and other private spaces designated for a sex different from the sex listed on their original birth certificate.

Colorado’s Proposition 134 requires athletic teams from elementary school through college to be designated for male, female or coeducational participation. Students would compete based on their sex.

Nebraska’s constitutional amendment prohibits male students from participating on teams designated for girls or women.

Washington’s initiative prohibits transgender girls from competing in girls’ K-12 sports. Students seeking to participate on female teams must provide health care documentation verifying eligibility based on sex. Washington’s interscholastic athletics association has said it knows of about 10 transgender athletes participating statewide each year.

State policy landscape

Ballotpedia counted 29 states with laws, regulations or interscholastic rules limiting or barring participation on female school sports teams to female students. The four ballot measures use different legal approaches, including a constitutional amendment, statutory requirements and an expansion of existing restrictions.