In Surprise Move, 2 Blue States Reject Trans Agenda for Kids, but Multiple States Enshrine Abortion

Voters in more than a half-dozen states weighed in on social issues on Tuesday, voting on a variety of ballot measures from abortion to transgender procedures on children. And while the blue wave swept Democrats into Congress, it didn't always translate into progressive policy changes.

Transgender Issues

Five states considered measures aimed at protecting girls' sports or guarding children with gender dysphoria from being subjected to irreversible surgeries. 

Arizona voters approved an expansion of the state's existing ban on transgender athletes competing in girls' sports.

Nebraska voters overwhelmingly approved Initiative Measure 442, the "Fairness for Girls" initiative, to protect the rights of female athletes.

In deep blue Washington state, voters passed Initiative 638, which would also protect girls' sports by barring students who were born male from joining female teams.

And in blue Colorado, more than 52% of voters have approved a similar measure to require students to only play on sports teams that match their biological gender.

Also in Colorado, a ban on transgender surgeries on children has passed, as well, with 52% of the vote. Proposition 135 prohibits the medical industry from trying to surgically alter the gender of minors. The measure does not restrict irreversible puberty blockers.

But in Missouri, voters rejected Amendment 3, which would have added restrictions to the state constitution regarding gender-altering medical procedures for minors.

Abortion Measures

On abortion, Idaho voters defeated a proposition that would have allowed abortion up until fetal viability.

But abortion advocates did achieve major victories in Missouri, Nevada and Virginia. 

Voters defeated a proposed amendment to Missouri's constitution that would have reimposed common-sense restrictions on abortions. National progressive groups heavily outspent pro-life groups in their campaign to defeat the Missouri ballot measure.

In Nevada, voters approved an amendment that creates a fundamental right to abortion until fetal viability, which is officially undefined.

And Virginia has now become a deep blue state; after electing an all-Democrat state government last year, voters have also now approved three amendments to enshrine abortion, same-sex marriage, and restoration of felons' voting rights into the state constitution.  

All three were already legal in Virginia. Opponents warned that the measures include deceptive language that would push the issues into far more radical territory than the current laws allow.

Opponents say the abortion amendment will allow abortions until birth, allow minors to get an abortion without their parents' knowledge, and could even legalize sex changes on minors due to the addition of gender language.

Opponents of Virginia's gay marriage amendment say it opens the door to transgender rights in private spaces and sports by creating two separate classifications: birth sex and chosen gender.