Voters in Colorado and Washington will decide this November on ballot measures that would prohibit transgender girls from participating in female sports competitions. While 27 other states already have similar laws in place, this election marks the first time the issue has been put directly to a public vote rather than being decided by state legislatures or governors.
The ballot initiatives were organized by activists in both states after Democratic-led legislatures previously rejected such bans. In Washington, the measure is sponsored by the group Let's Go Washington, while in Colorado, the proposal extends to include collegiate athletics. Similar measures are also appearing elsewhere: an Arizona initiative seeks to expand an existing ban to private schools, and a Nebraska measure would add existing law to the state constitution.
Supporters of the bans argue they are necessary to maintain fairness and protect the integrity of female sports categories under Title IX. Opponents, including advocacy groups like One Colorado, state that the measures are discriminatory and target a very small population of students. In Washington, proponents have identified 16 transgender athletes, while the state's interscholastic association oversees approximately 101,000 female sports participants.
A central point of debate involves the enforcement mechanism for the Washington measure. The proposal requires a healthcare provider to verify a student's biological sex using reproductive anatomy, genetic makeup, or testosterone levels. Proponents describe this as a simple medical history "checkbox," while medical professionals opposing the ban argue it would require invasive physical examinations or expensive testing for all female athletes.
The scale of these measures is significant as a political test. National polling from Quinnipiac University in June indicated that 70% of registered voters believe transgender women and girls should not play on female teams, while Democrats remain divided on the issue. In Washington, the group Let’s Go Washington has raised over $7.8 million to support the sports ban and two other initiatives, nearly double the funds raised by opponents. In Colorado, opponents have raised nearly $4 million, which is 20 times the amount raised by supporters, though they acknowledge the difficulty of reaching voters statewide.
If passed, these measures would set a precedent for using direct democracy to implement restrictions in states where legislative paths are blocked. This could lead to similar ballot efforts in other Democratic-leaning states. Beyond sports, the results may influence how political parties approach LGBTQ+ policy in future elections. The final decisions will be made by voters during the general election on November 3. If approved, the measures would move toward implementation according to each state's certification deadlines.