Voters Decide State Ballot Measures on Transgender Care, Girls' Sports, and Abortion

Voters in over half a dozen states decided ballot measures on Tuesday covering transgender procedures for minors, girls' sports, and abortion, with results mixed despite Democratic gains in Congress. The outcomes did not uniformly align with progressive policy goals. On transgender issues, Arizona voters expanded a ban on transgender athletes in girls' sports, Nebraska approved the "Fairness for Girls" initiative, and Washington state's Initiative 638 led with 56.8% support. Colorado's Proposition 135, banning gender-altering surgery on minors, was too close to call at 52%, while Missouri voters rejected Amendment 3, which would have added restrictions on such procedures. On abortion, Idaho voters defeated a proposition allowing abortion until fetal viability, but advocates won in Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia. Nevada approved a constitutional right to abortion until viability, and Virginia enshrined abortion, same-sex marriage, and felon voting rights, though opponents warned of deceptive language potentially expanding rights beyond current law.