New Yorkers are getting ready to make a big choice on Nov 5 2024 about changing their states rules. The Equal Rights Amendment (called Proposition 1 on the ballot) wants to make the states constitution say no to more kinds of unfair treatment.
Right now‚ the constitution stops people from being treated badly because of their race‚ beliefs or religion. The new words would add more things like where youre from‚ how old you are‚ if you have a disability‚ who you love and how you see yourself as a boy or girl. It would also protect pregnant people and their choices about having babies.
Democrats think this change could get more left-leaning folks to vote‚ specially those who want to keep abortion legal. But Republicans are using it to fire up people who dont want transgender girls playing in girls sports.
The people behind this change say its about making sure everyone is treated fairly. But some groups like the Coalition to Protect Kids-NY‚ are telling voters it could let non-citizens vote and take away parents say in their kids health care. Supporters of the change say thats not true and courts have already said non-citizens cant vote in New York.
Opponents fear-mongering about the small handful of students already participating in sports is dangerous and bullying of a vulnerable population of kids
The change could also make it harder to pass laws that stop transgender kids from getting certain medical care‚ like some other states have done. It might also help keep abortion legal in New York‚ even though it doesnt say that directly.
A judge recently said its not clear exactly how this change would work in real life. He thinks people will probably argue about what it means for a long time after its passed
Right now‚ New York lets people get abortions until the baby could live outside the mom (usually 24-26 weeks). This vote could change how future laws about this are looked at by courts