We did it! Prop One Passed!

Equal Rights Amendment

2024 was our year to finish the work that our suffragist sisters started!

The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County launched a campaign for women's equality. Recognizing that women’s rights are not protected by the U.S. Constitution, Alice Paul first proposed a federal Equal Rights Amendment over 100 years ago, which has yet to be enacted.

New York State voters made equality a reality for women and other oppressed groups in NY State by approving a state constitutional amendment protecting equal rights. 

Prior to Prop One, our state constitution did not protect all of us.
Our New York State Constitution was inadequate when it came to ensuring equality. We need a constitution with broad protections for every New Yorker. The previous New York State Constitution failed to prohibit discrimination against groups who have been historically targeted, including those with disabilities, LGBTQI+ individuals, immigrants, women, and pregnant people.

So New Yorkers passed an equal rights amendment that protects us all.

Text of Ballot Proposal #1 that was on NY ballot.

Albany County Supreme Court Judge David Weinstein ruled on 8/23/24 that the Ballot Language for Prop 1 should read:

Amendment to Protect Against Unequal Treatment

This proposal would protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy. It also protects against unequal treatment based on reproductive healthcare and autonomy.

A “YES” vote puts these protections into the New York State Constitution.

A “NO” vote leaves these protections out of the State Constitution.

Abstract:

“This proposal amends Article1, Section 11 of the New York Constitution. Section 11 now protects against unequal treatment based on race, color, creed, and religion. The proposal will amend the act to also protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy outcomes, as well as reproductive healthcare and autonomy. The amendment allows laws to prevent or undo past discrimination.
Thank you to all the volunteers who worked diligently to make the NY Equal Rights Amendment a Reality!