Equal Rights Amendment
2024 is our year to finish the work that our suffragist sisters started!
The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County has 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 will have an opportunity this fall to make equality a reality for women and other oppressed groups in NY State by approving a state constitutional amendment protecting equal rights.
“The League was founded on the premise that women deserve equal treatment under the laws of this nation. We’re determined to manifest that vision this year, and we welcome all who have suffered the consequences of second-class citizenship to join us. We’ve waited too long for justice. 2024 is the year to claim it.”
Patricia Nugent, chair of the Women’s Rights Awareness Campaign
Our current state constitution does not protect all of us.
Our New York State Constitution is wholly inadequate when it comes to ensuring equality. We need a constitution with broad protections for every New Yorker. The current New York State Constitution fails to prohibit discrimination against groups who have been historically targeted, including those with disabilities, LGBTQI+ individuals, immigrants, women, and pregnant people.
We must pass an equal rights amendment that protects us all.
Be sure to turn over you ballot on election day to vote on the NY ERA amemdment - ballot proposal #1.
Text of Ballot Proposal #1 on NY ballot this fall
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.
See also the NY Board of Elections ballot certification
Take action now!
Join us in our fight for equal rights.
Spread the word! Tell your friends, family, and members of your community about the NY Equal Rights Amendment to keep the momentum going until the 2024 election. Your voice makes a difference.
Why is it so crucial that women’s rights be treated as fundamental rights given the highest level of protection? This blog post explains why the NY ERA must pass in New York State to elevate “women’s rights” to the highest level of judicial review, recognizing that women’s rights are human rights and must be afforded the same protections as other fundamental rights.
Join the LWVSC Women’s Rights Awareness Campaign Committee by contacting LWV Saratoga County.
Volunteer to register voters by contacting LWV Saratoga County.
Become a Pollworker - Sign up with the Saratoga County Board of Elections and help protect the right to vote, one of our nation’s oldest and most important rights.