Prop 1: Woke Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
On the reverse side of this year’s election ballot is a proposition that promises equal rights to all residents. A closer look at this Constitutional Amendment pushed by the Progressive Left, however, shows a host of freedoms that many New Yorkers may not subscribe to.
Appearing on ballots statewide, Proposition 1 is being sold by its Democrat sponsors as an expansion of a resident’s rights. Looking deeper, it would give illegal immigrants the right to vote and receive healthcare and other benefits. It would give men the right to compete in women’s sports and boys the right to use girl’s bathrooms. Children looking to change their sex would have the right to do so without having to tell their parents.
The Constitutional Amendment, which would also enshrine New York’s existing abortion laws, was seen as a move by Democrats to drive their voters to the polls in a year when control of Congress may well be decided in the state. Critics say the strategy may backfire as Republican and Conservative voters may be driven to the polls to reject the proposition.
The issue came up during the recent rally by President Trump in Uniondale when former Congressman Lee Zeldin railed against it. “Strategically for Democrats, it's been a comedy of errors, except none of this is funny. Vote no,” said the Trump Team member who came close to beating Gov. Kathy Hochul two years ago in a decidedly Blue state. “Democrats say Proposition 1 is about enshrining abortion in the state Constitution, but what people will find is a whole lot of other things that have nothing to do with abortion.”
Specifically, the ballot measure states that “No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof. No person shall, because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed [or], religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy, be subjected to any discrimination in [his or her] 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, pursuant to law.”
While state and federal law ban discrimination in many forms, Prop 1 takes it to a new level by including gender identity and reproductive rights language. If approved by voters, the measure would supersede existing state laws in these areas.
“While New York has a robust set of anti-discrimination statutes, our state Constitution is inadequate when it comes to ensuring equality,” the Reason Foundation, one of many Progressive groups pushing the measure, said. “New Yorkers will be able to demand the lasting protections of a constitutional amendment that would prohibit discrimination against groups who have been historically targeted, including those with disabilities, LGBTQI+ individuals, people of color, immigrants, women, and pregnant people. With a Supreme Court empowered to roll back fundamental rights and protections that advance equality, it’s crucial that New York meets the moment by enshrining protections against discrimination in our state Constitution.”
“In reality, access to abortion in New York is not in jeopardy at all, and if this proposition intended to enshrine those rights it would have included them specifically,” opponents note. “The amendment does not reference abortion by name at all, and the items that are included are already protected. As such, this proposal is going to do more harm than good.”
According to a statement by Republicans in the state legislature, “The proposal as written jeopardizes other critical protections existing in state law, namely those of the parents of minors. Under this amendment, minors will more easily be able to seek gender-altering treatments without having to inform their parents. Parents have a right to know what their children are doing.” Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay called the measure a “Wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
Further, the opponents say, “Non-citizens will have an avenue to vote in state elections, and it will be virtually impossible to prevent biological male athletes from competing against women. These policies do little to protect anyone, and the idea that women’s reproductive health is at the heart of this proposal is disingenuous. Ballot Proposal Number One is designed to appear progressive and helpful. But at its core, the measure is just a list of hot-button topics already covered under the law masking a thinly veiled attempt to undermine families, parents and communities. It has no place in New York.”
Gov. Hochul, who ponied up $1 million to push for the proposition, said through a spokesperson, “New Yorkers deserve the freedom to control their own lives and healthcare decisions, including the right to abortion regardless of who’s in office, and this important investment will get that message out across the state.”