Voters in 3 States Approve Trans Athlete Bans as Democrats Post Strong Election Gains
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Nov 5
Voters in 3 States Approve Trans Athlete Bans as Democrats Post Strong Election Gains
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Nov 5
Summary
Arizona, Nebraska and Washington voters approved statewide measures barring transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports teams, marking the first ballot-box test of such restrictions.
Large margins in Arizona and Nebraska and a narrower win in Democratic-dominant Washington suggested the issue cuts across party lines even in an election that otherwise favored Democrats.
Supporters argued trans athletes hold a physical advantage and said the results could spur similar campaigns in other Democrat-led states; Colorado was still counting votes on a related measure Thursday.
Since 2020, Republican-led states have enacted similar limits through legislatures, but these votes may broaden the fight by putting transgender-rights questions directly before voters.