On the Ballot: The Equal Rights Amendment Will Protect Abortion Rights in NYS

Jenna Lauter of the NY Civil Liberties Union Urged Voters to Approve Proposition 1 on the NYS Ballot in November (Photo Credit Michelle Lichtenberg)
This year’s election is a pivotal one for many reasons. First it’s a presidential election year at a time when our democracy hangs in the balance. For those of us living here in Congressional District 16, we have the opportunity to elect our longtime County Executive George Latimer to represent us in Washington – and there’s more.

And at long last, the Equal Rights Amendment will be on the reverse side of the ballot in New York State. The amendment, which is Proposal 1, will safeguard abortion rights in New York State and offer many more protections against discrimination by the government based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability and sex, including sexual orientation gender identity and expressions, pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes.
In order to inform voters, the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale invited Jenna Lauter from the NY Civil Liberties Union to address locals at the Scarsdale Library on Tuesday night October 1, 2024.

Lauter explained that many in New York think our rights are already protected and say, “Why do we need this?” Lauter said, “When Roe vs. Wade fell, we were shocked and we realized our rights aren’t as safe as we thought.” And the election of a conservative governor or state legislature could put these rights in risk. This new amendment protects abortion as a right as a part of the clause against sex discrimination.

Lauter said, “Proposition 1 goes far beyond reproductive rights. It creates a vision for what it means to be equal in our society. It enshrines text against government discrimination for all groups.

She pointed out that the text on the ballot does not mention abortion. Instead Proposition 1 is defined as an “Amendment to Protect Against Unequal Treatment,” but if passed by a simple majority it will protect the right to abortion in New York State.

Here is the text of the amendment:

A. No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof. No person shall, because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed [or], religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy, be subjected to any discrimination in [his or her] their civil rights by any other person or by any firm, corporation, or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state, pursuant to law.

B. Nothing in this section shall invalidate or prevent the adoption of any law, regulation, program, or practice that is designed to prevent or dismantle discrimination on the basis of a characteristic listed in this section, nor shall any characteristic listed in this section be interpreted to interfere with, limit, or deny the civil rights of any person based upon any other characteristic identified in this section.

Lauter urged voters to turn over their ballots and vote yes on Proposition 1 -- and to inform family and friends that this critical amendment is on the ballot on November 5, 2024.

For those choosing to vote in person, in-person early voting is October 26-November 3, 2024, at any of the early polling locations in Westchester County. Election Day is November 5, 2024. Then, voters must vote at their designated polling location.