New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) Releases Statement on New York Ballot Proposals

In addition to voting for representatives, New Yorkers will decide on several important ballot measures in this election. Remember to flip your ballot over to vote on Propositions #1-6!

New York Lawyers for the Public Interest makes the following recommendations:

Proposition 1  (The Equal Rights Amendment):  Amends the state constitution to "protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy," as well as protect against unequal treatment "based on reproductive healthcare and autonomy."

Our position: NYLPI supports a YES vote on Proposition 1 which would enshrine equal protection and the right to non-discriminatory reproductive health care for New Yorkers in our constitution, and ensure that our current human rights laws cannot be weakened or dismantled by elected officials in the future.

Resources:New York Equal Rights Campaign
NYC Bar Association Report on Proposition 1

Propositions 2-6: NYLPI is concerned about Propositions #2-6 which, if passed, would change New York City's Charter to give more power to mayors and weaken checks and balances between the City Council and the Mayor. In particular, we urge a NO vote on Propositions 3 and 4.

Proposition 3 (Requires Additional Cost Estimates for Proposed City Laws):

Our Position: NYLPI urges a NO vote on this City Charter revision, which would create an additional barrier to passing critical legislation by requiring additional cost estimates for proposed bills before the City Council can hold a public hearing on the bills. Public hearings are important opportunities to gather input from community members, advocates, and experts. By requiring cost estimates to be prepared early in the legislative process, this amendment could create further delays and roadblocks in a process that is already far too slow and cumbersome to meet the urgent and changing needs of New York's communities.

Resources: "Why New Yorkers Should Vote 'No' on Proposals 2 Through 6," New York Civil Liberties Union
The City's Guide to the 2024 Ballot Proposals

Proposition 4 (Requires Additional Time before the City Council Votes on Public Safety Laws):

Our position: NYLPI urges a NO vote on Proposition 4, which would require the City Council to provide at least 30 days' notice before voting on any laws affecting the Police, Corrections, or Fire Departments. This would create an additional barrier within an already arduous legislative process and give additional power to the Mayor who could use this delay period to organize additional hearings on such bills. This notice would not be required for regulations applying to other agencies, and would therefore impose an arbitrary more cumbersome standard for any bill seeking to regulate these massive public agencies, which have far too often been unaccountable to the public and especially to low-income communities and communities of color.

Resources: "Watchdog Says Vote NO on Prop 4," Reinvent Albany

Reminder: To register to vote in New York, your application must be received by October 26.

Early voting begins on Saturday, October 26 and you can find early voting and election day polling sites here.

You can also request a mail ballot by October 26.

LATEST NEWS

Take Action

Here's what you can do right now for justice in New York…

TAKE ACTION

Stay up to date

Get updates on our cases and campaigns, and join us in taking action for justice…

SIGN UP