LINCOLN, Neb., October 13, 2026 — Nebraska voters will have an opportunity Wednesday evening to question and comment on a proposed constitutional amendment concerning eligibility for girls’ and women’s school sports, ahead of the November 3 general election.
The Nebraska Secretary of State’s Elections Division has scheduled a public hearing on Initiative Measure 442 for Wednesday, October 14, from 6 to 9 p.m. Central in Room 1525 of the State Capitol, 1445 K Street, Lincoln. The state is holding hearings on the ballot proposals in each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts.
What voters are considering
Measure 442, described on the ballot as “Fairness for Girls,” would place sex-based school-athletics requirements in Nebraska’s Constitution. It would require affected schools to designate athletic teams as male, female or mixed and would restrict participation on teams designated for girls or women according to the terms of the amendment. The proposal covers public K–12 schools and higher education, along with private institutions competing against covered public schools.
The measure has not been approved by voters. Its provisions are the subject of a November ballot question, not a determination made at Wednesday’s hearing.
Supporters say constitutional protections for sex-separated teams would preserve opportunities for female athletes and competitive fairness. Opponents argue that the proposal would exclude transgender students from certain teams and could create problems involving privacy and equal participation. Those are competing advocacy positions, not findings made by election officials.
Other hearing dates
State election officials list two additional hearings on Measure 442: October 22, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Buffalo County Extension Building, Bison Room, 1400 E. 34th Street in Kearney; and October 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Millard Branch of Omaha Public Libraries, Meeting Room 1, 13214 Westwood Lane.
The November ballot also includes Measures 440 and 441, which concern online sports wagering. Their separate public hearings begin in Lincoln on October 15.
Voters seeking the actual ballot language, informational pamphlet and current hearing details should consult the Nebraska Secretary of State’s official election page and the September 30 hearing announcement. Nebraska Public Media also explains the scope of the three proposals and hearing schedule.
Street News Now does not endorse either side of the ballot question. Readers should check state election notices for any schedule or access changes before attending.
