At a time when many young people feel like their voting can’t make any difference, we have a unique opportunity to change the New York State Constitution in a positive way this Election Day.
The proposed Amendment is called Proposition 1 and will be a statewide ballot measure in this upcoming election. Students can vote on Proposition 1 by flipping over their ballot when they vote on Election Day, Nov. 5, or if they choose to vote early in New York State between Saturday, Oct. 26, and Nov. 3.
The text of Proposition 1 would make it illegal to discriminate against individuals on the basis of “ethnicity, national origin, age, disability … or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and reproductive healthcare and autonomy.”
Which is to say that if most New Yorkers vote “Yes,” it will be unconstitutional to discriminate based on these factors. If most New Yorkers vote “No,” these protections will not be included in the New York State Constitution.
So, this Election Day presents a very exciting opportunity. This is a constitutional amendment that we get to vote for. This isn’t voting for a politician; it’s a proposition that will be voted on by the people of New York and decided by a majority vote. Our vote matters whether this passes or not.
After reading the text, I think it becomes apparent why I encourage all New Yorkers to vote “Yes” on Proposition 1. Expansions of constitutional protections against discrimination are fantastic and move our society forward. There are protections for those with disabilities, which is an important thing to recognize in a state constitution as rights for those with disabilities remain insufficient more than 30 years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Passing Proposition 1 would make our state constitution one of the most forward and inclusive in the country.
Generation Z, people born after 1997, has more people identifying as LGBTQ+ than previous generations. Almost one in every four members of Gen Z identify as LGBTQ+. Likewise, those aged 18 to 29 are very supportive of LGBTQ+ issues, such as gay marriage (71% support) and protections for transgender individuals against discrimination in jobs, housing and public spaces (70% support, greater than any other generation). Young people could have the deciding vote to get the issues we care about put into our state constitution.
Finally, the section protecting pregnancy outcomes and reproductive healthcare and autonomy would put the right to an abortion into the New York State Constitution. Women will have the constitutional right to make decisions about their own pregnancies without being bothered by the government. Just like protection against discrimination, that is not a right that can be taken away by politicians, whether they are Democratic or Republican.
Ensuring that women have access to an abortion if they need one is more important than ever considering the horrific experiences that some have undergone because they were not able to receive an abortion in their own state. Take Amber Nicole Thurman for example. The 28-year-old mother drove to another state to get an abortion. Due to complications with the procedure, she died after bleeding out for over 20 hours as doctors in her home state of Georgia were afraid to operate on her because they were afraid the state of Georgia would arrest them. The right to an abortion saves women’s lives, gives them freedom and keeps them safe. It is critical that those benefits are here in New York.
We can’t vote on propositions every year, and there are few propositions as good as Proposition 1.
On Nov. 5, I hope you will join me in flipping over your ballot and marking “Yes” on Proposition 1.
