New York Voters: Proposition 1 Is On the Ballot

By Election Day, the majority of New Yorkers will have decided who they are voting for, from the top of the ballot on down.

What they may not know is that the back of their ballot has a vitally important proposition that will codify essential protections for New York State. This is of particular relevance to at-risk populations, including immigrants, seniors, the LGBTQ+ community, those with disabilities, and for women’s reproductive health.

When asked about Proposition 1, voters have been drawing a blank.

The legislature passed this constitutional amendment twice. Now, voters can activate its passage in this year’s election.

What will Proposition 1 Do?

The amendment language states that it will protect the right to abortion for all New Yorkers. It will also close all loopholes in the State Constitution to ensure that no New Yorker can be discriminated against by the government, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, pregnancy status, disability status, or whether someone is LGBTQ+.

I attended two events to learn more. The first was an educational presentation in New York City (Bronx). The second was a rally in Yonkers to support the legislation.

Morgan Evers and Abigail Martin from the 81st Assembly District anchored the Bronx meeting. State Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz were in attendance. Martin emphasized that in 2018, women could get Reproductive Healthcare throughout their pregnancies. Rivera said, “Proposition 1 is needed because New York State must be a bulwark.”

Martin explained, “Prop 1 protects citizens against what could happen in the future. It puts decision-making with the people of the state, not politicians.” Along with protecting abortion rights and needed healthcare options,  Proposition 1 safeguards IVF and birth control. Martin addressed attacks on the proposition that have been emanating from Republicans in the state who have mobilized to spread disinformation and fear to voters about “the change of existing laws” or circulating that Proposition 1 “will strip parents of their God-given parental authority and responsibility.” Opposition groups have primarily targeted transgender protections, while also conflating immigrants with voting rights. Martin underscored that the legislation does not deal with transgender surgery, sports playing options, or the handing out of “special rights.” She added, “That’s a version of they’re eating the pets.”

The New York City Bar has a concise explanation of what Proposition 1 does and what it doesn’t do, dispelling any doubts about “parental rights, sports team participation, or voting qualifications.”

The rally held in Yonkers, despite the rain, featured top New York Democratic electeds, civil rights advocates, and activists. Signs for candidates were visible, along with literature and buttons available for distribution. Arriving early, I connected with several presenters before they took the stage.

Leslie Chervokas, Chairperson of the Women Democrats of Westchester, told me, “The time to act is now because of threats across the United States to essential freedoms. We may not have another chance based on the composition of future legislatures.”

The director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, Donna Lieberman, articulated, “Prop 1 will enshrine abortion rights and full equality into our State Constitution.” Looking down the road, Lieberman sees a failure to pass the proposition as a green light for the extreme right-wing to engage in other forms of revisionism. “This inoculates all New Yorkers from a shift in the political environment,” she said. As an example, Lieberman offered, “This can save us from a potential governor who is dead set on stopping abortion rights.”

A repeated theme was that Proposal 1 should be a model for the country, especially given the well-financed efforts of adversaries and the need to protect “against unequal treatment.”

One of the most vibrant speakers was Attorney General Letitia James. Responding to “Tish, Tish” chants from the water-logged crowd, she made it clear, “We won’t go back.” James spoke of her trip to Texas and the gut-wrenching stories from Georgia. “We don’t want that in New York. We have to put it in the hands of New Yorkers who will never tell healthcare workers to get [to] one step away from death.”

“Lift it up! Turn It Over. Vote Yes on Proposition 1! became the refrain.

Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Majority Leader of the State Senate, called out the number of days remaining to get the word into circulation. “New York’s 1970 abortion law was in play before the national one,” said Stewart-Cousins. She spoke about how she carried the bill until it was passed. “In those days, it was in the homicide section. It was not considered health.” Stewart-Cousins conveyed the importance of keeping a Democratic majority in Albany. “I want to make sure that we have progress and save democracy. We need leaders to reflect who we are.”

Tying together the hyperlocal, state, and national scenarios, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Today’s rally is really important. New York is going to decide on five House seats. We’ve built a coordinated campaign to get stuff done in five battleground districts. We’ve made 1.2 million calls and knocked on 350,000 doors. We have to elect Harris. We can do this. Don’t ever say ballot initiatives don’t matter. They can guarantee freedoms. New York has to be part of the solution. This election is about you, your children, your grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.”

A balance to those speeches was the personal narratives shared by those whose stories demonstrated why passing the proposition resonated so deeply for them.

Anthony Nicodemo, high school teacher and coach, voiced why Prop 1 was essential to protect members of the LGBTQ+ population. Lisa Hofflich shared the secret that she had carried for 30 years: an unplanned pregnancy with the boyfriend who became her husband and father of her five children.

Perhaps the backstory that cut the deepest for me was that of Julie Shiroishi, the Executive Director of Eleanor’s Legacy. When we spoke privately, the clause to protect New Yorkers against unequal treatment based on ethnicity or national origin became painfully clear. Her father and other family members were placed in internment camps for Japanese-Americans during World War II, including in Poston, Arizona.

It was a crystalizing moment, recalling how far America has gone off the rails in the past…and under certain circumstances, could easily do so again.

Photos: Courtesy of Bob Volin