Proposal 1: Amendment to Protect Against Unequal Treatment
Description of Proposal: This proposal amends Article 1, Section 11 of the New York Constitution. Section 11 now protects against unequal treatment based on race, color, creed, and religion. The proposal will amend the act to also protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, as well as reproductive healthcare and autonomy. The amendment allows laws to prevent or undo past discrimination.
Question as it Will Appear on Ballot: This proposal would protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy. It also protects against unequal treatment based on reproductive healthcare and autonomy.
A “YES” vote puts these protections in the New York State Constitution.
A “NO” vote leaves these protections out of the State Constitution.
LWVNYS Position on Proposal No. 1: Vote YES
Westchester County Ballot Proposal: Increase the Term Length for County Legislators from Two to Four Years
Description of Proposal: This proposal amends Chapter 107 of the Laws of Westchester County, known as Westchester County Proposition No. 2024-1, to extend the terms of County Legislators from two to four years, while keeping existing term limits in place. According to the proposers, “[t]his change would allow legislators to concentrate more fully on the needs of their constituents, focus on policy proposals rather than constant campaigning, reduce the cost of administering elections, and align with the standard set by a majority of New York State county legislative bodies, which already have four-year terms.”
Question as it Will Appear on Ballot: Should individuals serving in the position of Westchester County Legislator serve four-year terms instead of two-year terms?
A “YES” vote extends the terms to four years.
A “NO” vote leaves the terms at two years.
LWVNYS and LWVW have not taken a position on the above proposal.
