STATEN ISLAND, NY — When you turn in your ballot at the voting booth this election, there’s a statewide proposition you’ll be asked to vote on. But what is it about? Why is it controversial? Who supports it and which groups are against it?

What is Proposition 1?

Dubbed the Equal Rights Amendment, Proposition 1 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 of any subdivision thereof. No person shall, because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed(s), religion or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcome, and reproductive health care, and autonomy, to be subjected to any discrimination in their civil rights by any other person or by any firm, corporation or institution or by the State or any agency or subdivision of the State, in accordance with law,” the ballot proposal reads. .

Proposition 1 adds language to the amendment that would “prevent or eliminate discrimination” based on protected characteristics. Additionally, it would prohibit anyone from “interfering with, limiting or denying” someone’s civil rights.

Which groups want the proposal to pass?

Most Democrats, equal rights activists, and any groups that want to expand equal rights for all seem to favor passage of Proposition 1.

“We essentially passed the 28th Amendment, the Equal Rights Amendment, after over 100 years of advocacy. However, it has not yet been published in the Constitution,” explained Staten Island co-founder Lorie Honor. women marching and chief of staff for Equality in votinga national organization whose mission is to raise awareness that gender equality is not in the US Constitution.

“It’s very, very vital and it’s something that we hope in a new administration will be prioritized. But in the meantime, all states are trying to figure out how we can protect more people, in our communities, in our neighborhoods. This is Proposition 1 for New York,” the Stapleton resident added.

Organized honor a basic move most of the women who handed out flyers and information about Proposition 1 in Staten Island. Their goal is to educate neighborhood residents about the ballot proposal.

Who is against Proposition 1?

Many Republicans spoke out on the ballot proposal. Several of the Island’s elected officials have voiced their opposition to the proposal focusing on transgender people in sports. In fact, a group of New York City conservatives climbed the steps The town hall on October 21 to call for a vote against the vote measure.

“Supporters 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 to abortion in New York State. It doesn’t happen. The goal is to use the abortion issue to implement different protections that probably couldn’t pass on their own.”

Many Republicans have taken a stand against transgender people in sports.

“The purpose (of Proposition 1) is to provide protections, particularly for national origin and gender identity. …How are people discriminated against based on national origin and gender? And the two things they are discriminated against are, in some cases, participation in sports. And with national origin, it’s voting and access to public benefits…so that’s the only purpose. Everything else in there is just a plus,” added Borelli.