Nebraska voters on Tuesday approved Initiative 442, putting restrictions on participation in girls and women's school sports into the state constitution. The amendment overlaps with the 2025 Stand with Women Act but leaves out several requirements contained in that law. Here are the similarities and differences and what that means for student athletes.
"Stand with Women Act" vs. "Fairness for Girls" amendment
| Issue | 2025 "Stand with Women" Act | "Fairness for Girls" Initiative 442 |
|---|---|---|
| Designated teams | Teams must be designated as open to boys, girls or co-ed. | Establishes the same requirement in the state constitution. |
| Girls sports | Prohibits biologically male students from joining girls teams. | Establishes the same restriction in the state constitution. |
| Boys sports | Prohibits students born female from joining boys teams unless their school offers no girls team for that sport. | Contains no corresponding restriction. |
| Definition of sex | Defines biological sex based on reproductive systems associated with sperm or eggs. | Does not define male or female biological sex. |
| Verification | Requires medical confirmation of sex for students joining boys or girls teams | Does not specify verification requirements |
| Enforcement | Establishes requirements schools must follow. | Does not specify enforcement procedures but allows lawmakers to pass implementing legislation. |
| Future changes | Lawmakers can change or repeal the statute. | Repeal requires statewide voter approval of another constitutional amendment. |
People are also reading…
Photos: Nebraskans braved rain and formed long lines on Election Day
Voters file into two lines for the two voting precincts at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Voters cast their ballots at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Voters walk through the rain to queue inside St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Voters queue in the hallway of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church before polls opened in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Workers bring out additional tables and chairs for voters to use at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Voters cast their ballots at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Voters queue in the hallwayat St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
A voter runs into St. Leo the Great Catholic Church as rain continues to fall in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
A voter heads to their polling place at Dundee Presbyterian Church in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
About 50 people line up two vote at Dundee Presbyterian Church in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
People cast their ballots at Dundee Presbyterian Church in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
The line to vote goes up they stairs at Dundee Presbyterian Church in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
People cast their ballots at Dundee Presbyterian Church in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
A woman deposits her ballot as people in line wait for theirs at the Omaha Community Playhouse in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
People fill out their ballot as others in line wait for theirs at the Omaha Community Playhouse in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Ben Bartels, right, waits while his mother, Anne Marie Robbins, votes at the Omaha Community Playhouse in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Nisa Salmen, right, casts her ballot while Miles Scott plays with their son, Thatcher Scott, 10 months old, at Center Mall in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Ezra Weiss, 7, Salmen's son, stays busy on a phone at left. The couple took turns watching the children while they voted as Ezra and other Omaha Public Schools students didn't have school today.
People vote at the Center Mall in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
People vote at the Center Mall in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Nisa Salmen, right, casts her ballot while Miles Scott plays with their son, Thatcher Scott, 10 months old, at Center Mall in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Ezra Weiss, 7, Salmen's son, stays busy on a phone at left. The couple took turns watching the children while they voted as Ezra and other Omaha Public Schools students didn't have school today.
People vote at the Center Mall in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
People vote at the Center Mall in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Voters cast their ballots at Metropolitan Community College's Fort Omaha Campus in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
A voter checks in at Wakonda Elementary School to cast their ballot in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Pam Lunbeck fills out her ballot as her granddaughter, Kaylee, 8, watches on at Wakonda Elementary School in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Voters utilize all the voting booths and tables at Motto McLean Ice Arena in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Voters cast their ballots at Ronald Wilson Reagan Elementary School in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
A voter casts their ballot at Ronald Wilson Reagan Elementary School in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Voters walk in to American Legion Post 216 to cast their ballots in Gretna, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Bill Braesch casts his ballot at American Legion Post 216 in Gretna, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Voters cast their ballots at American Legion Post 216 in Gretna, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Voters queue to receive their ballots at King Science & Technology Magnet Center in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Daniel Harder casts his ballot at King Science & Technology Magnet Center in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Voters queue inside Morning Star Baptist Church in Omaha to cast their ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
People vote in the Our Lady of Guadalupe social hall in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
People vote in the Our Lady of Guadalupe social hall in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
People vote in the Our Lady of Guadalupe social hall in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
