On Election Day, Scarsdale residents lined up near Edgewood Elementary School to vote in the general election. In addition to the presidential and congressional races, the other side of the ballot presented the proposed amendment of Proposition One, also known as the New York Equal Rights Amendment. If passed, Proposition One would further protect the right to abortion and gender expression by preventing discrimination and guaranteeing equal protection under the law for such groups in New York.

After the US Supreme Court overturned the landmark decision Roe v. Wade in 2022, many state legislatures, including New York, moved to enshrine the right to abortion and reproductive rights in their respective state constitutions to protect abortion rights. New York State’s proposed amendment, known as Proposition One, extends the “Equal protection of laws” stated in Section Eleven of Article One of the New York State Constitution to include “sexual orientation” and “reproductive healthcare and autonomy.”

The amendment was first passed in two sessions of the New York legislature in June 2022 and January 2023. The proposal’s fate was then bestowed upon New Yorkers. After the election, the Associated Press confirmed the passing of Proposition One, stating that 61.9% of New Yorkers voted for the passing of the amendment. In Westchester County, 68% of voters voted to pass the proposal.

Despite its relatively high popularity among voters, Proposition One has stirred political controversy. Local churches, including the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, displayed lawn signs urging locals to “Save Girls Sports” and reject Proposition One in the days leading up to the election.

Certain students are worried that the vague protection of gender expression and abortion rights can do more harm than good.

“[Proposition One] upholds abortion rights, which was good, but it added the ‘you can’t discriminate clause,’” an anonymous student pointed out.

The discrimination clause of Proposition One creates “gender expression” as another protected class from discrimination. However, the clause’s ambiguous definition of transgender individuals and discrimination opens up many loopholes.

“The discrimination clause is too vague and has too many bad potential outcomes. If some guy wants to play on a girl’s team, he can’t be refused now,” the anonymous student added.

“Proposition One is beneficial because it guarantees women [access to an] abortion from sexual abuse.” Sachin Sasidharan ’27 commented.

Despite its differing positive and negative reputation among peers, students agree that Proposition One’s passing, along with the passing of legal protections for abortion in other states will significantly impact New York communities and beyond.