Election 2024: Here's what you need to know about Proposition 1 on your ballot in New York

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — When you cast your ballot at the voting booth this election, you will be asked to vote on a statewide proposal. But what is it about? Why is it controversial? Who supports it and which groups are against it?

What is Proposal 1?

Proposition 1, also called the Equal Rights Amendment, aims to protect abortion access in New York and add new protected classes to the state's Equal Rights Amendment to prohibit discrimination against any person or group.

“No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this State or any subdivision thereof. No person is permitted to do so because of their race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability or creed [or]Be subject to any discrimination on religion or gender, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcome, and reproductive health care and autonomy [his or her] to assert their civil rights by another person or by a company, corporation or institution or by the State or an agency or subdivision of the State in accordance with law,” the ballot proposal says.

Proposal 1 adds language to the amendment that would prevent or eliminate “discrimination” based on protected characteristics. Additionally, it would prohibit anyone from interfering with, restricting, or denying the civil rights of others.

Which groups want the proposal to be adopted?

Most Democrats, equal rights activists and all groups that want to expand equal rights for all appear to be in favor of passing Proposition 1.

“We essentially passed the 28th Amendment, the Equal Rights Amendment, after over 100 years of advocacy. However, it has yet to be published in the Constitution,” explained Lorie Honor, co-founder of Staten Island Women Who March and chief of staff of Vote Equality, a national organization whose mission is to raise awareness of gender equality US Constitution.

“It is very, very important and we hope it will be a priority in a new government. But in the meantime, all states are trying to figure out how to protect more of our people in our communities and in our neighborhoods. “This is Proposition 1 for New York,” the Stapleton resident added.

Honor organized a grassroots movement made up mostly of women that distributed flyers and information about Proposition 1 throughout Staten Island. Their goal is to educate district residents about the ballot proposal.

Who is against Proposal 1?

Many Republicans have commented on the election proposal. Several elected officials on the island expressed opposition to the proposal, which focuses on transgender people in sports. In fact, on October 21, a group of New York conservatives took to the steps of City Hall to call for a vote against the ballot measure.

“Proponents say the proposal is about abortion, but that’s not even mentioned in the text,” said Councilman Joe Borelli (R-South Shore). “And there is no threat of abortion in New York State. It doesn't happen. The goal is to use the issue of abortion to introduce various protections that likely could not stand alone.”

Many Republicans have spoken out against transgender people in sports.

“The goal [of Proposition 1] is to introduce protection measures, especially for national origin and gender identity. …How are people discriminated against based on their national origin and gender? And the two things that discriminate against them are, in some cases, participation in sports. And national origin is about voting and access to public benefits… so that's the only goal. Everything else there is just a plus,” Borelli added.