FAQ

At a moment when out-of-touch politicians and courts are narrowing and rescinding rights across the country, New York is stepping up to make sure that never happens here. Prop 1 protects New Yorkers from shifting political winds that would eliminate or narrow existing protections — and keep our rights in our hands. Prop 1 safeguards our abortion rights permanently and prevents government discrimination.

Abortion is legal in New York — we have to make sure it stays that way. Embedding abortion protections in our state constitution insulates us from the anti-abortion extremists who are working to ban, eliminate, or reduce access to abortion through changes to the state law — as we’re seeing happen in states across the country.

New York’s current laws can be changed or rolled back depending on who is in the state legislature or Governor’s Mansion. In 2022, a staunchly anti-abortion candidate came close to winning the Governor's Mansion for the first time in decades — and had pledged to put people in charge of our health system who wanted to roll back abortion rights. 

We need to act now. New Yorkers must vote YES on Prop 1 this November and make sure our rights are not left to out-of-touch, anti-abortion politicians who want to restrict our rights and freedoms.

Neither the federal Constitution nor New York State’s Constitution currently protect against discrimination based on a person’s pregnancy, pregnancy outcome, access to reproductive healthcare and reproductive autonomy including abortion. Further, increasingly across the country in virtually every state, including New York, women face criminal and civil consequences for their pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriages. The ERA would change that, explicitly prohibiting discrimination by the government based on pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. It would also protect against any government actions that would curtail a person’s reproductive autonomy or their access to reproductive health care.

For example, the ERA would ensure the State could not pass a state abortion ban, ban private insurance coverage of abortion, prosecute or criminalize miscarriage, or add medically unnecessary burdens on patients or facilities.

Prop 1 will prevent government discrimination and ensure New Yorkers keep and protect what they want most: fundamental reproductive rights and freedoms, without political interference. 

The amendment will explicitly prohibit discrimination by the government regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, pregnancy status, disability status, or whether someone is LGBT. 

As examples, the amendment will help victims of domestic abuse hold their abusers accountable in court, block a judge from taking away custody of a child based on a parent’s sexual orientation, and prohibit politicians from putting in place barriers to voting that make it difficult for older adults or those with disabilities to vote.

Not yet! New York’s state constitution explicitly protects against racial and religious discrimination, but not other fundamental rights. 

It is critical that New York clarify that our state constitution broadly protects against discrimination, and recognizes what so many of us know to be true: these rights are about equality.

When voting this November, flip your ballot over and vote YES on Prop 1!

Prop 1 will be on the back of your ballot – so be sure to flip your ballot and vote YES on Prop 1!

We’d love to have you help get out the vote for Prop 1! 

You can find local events here to get involved. 

If you’re part of an organization that wants to join our coalition, fill out this form and we’ll get in touch. Thank you!

We’re grateful for your support! You can donate to our campaign via ActBlue or by sending a check made out to New Yorkers for Equal Rights Inc 

If sending via UPS:

New Yorkers for Equal Rights Inc

c/o MBA Consulting Group

611 Pennsylvania Ave SE #143 Washington, DC 20003

If sending via USPS Priority:

New Yorkers for Equal Rights Inc

c/o MBA Consulting Group

PO Box #15845 Washington, DC 20003