New York voters inserted abortion rights into the state constitution Tuesday by approving Proposal 1, but that’s not all they did.
The Equal Protection of Law Amendment bans discrimination based on a host of characteristics, including “national origin” and “sex,” which is defined as “pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare” as well as “sexual orientation, gender identity, [and] gender expression.”
The measure was gliding to victory Tuesday night, winning by 64% to 36% with 64% of the vote counted, prompting the Associated Press to call the race.
“New Yorkers used their vote to permanently protect abortion statewide, and showed up for LGBTQ, immigrant and disabled New Yorkers by approving the most progressive and comprehensive state Equal Rights Amendment in the country,” said the New York Civil Liberties Union on X.
Opponents warned that the measure would put girls and women at risk by requiring access to public facilities and scholastic sports based on gender identity, as well as open the door to voting by non-citizens.
Even so, the Democratic establishment was firmly behind the measure, which outraised the opposition by 10 to 1, according to Ballotpedia.
As a proposed constitutional amendment, the measure needed to be approved by both houses of the state legislature in two consecutive sessions before going to the voters for final approval.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.