Maryland and New York Voters Approve Constitutional Amendments to Protect Abortion Rights, 74% Voting in Favor of Proposition 1

Nov 6, 2024, 02:46 AM

Maryland voters have approved a new article for the state constitution to guarantee the right to reproductive freedom, which includes the ability to make decisions regarding pregnancy. This amendment, supported by approximately 74% of voters, enshrines abortion rights into the state's constitution. This marks big wins for Democrats in the state. Similarly, New York voters have passed Proposition 1, the Equal Rights Amendment, which expands the Equal Protection Clause to include protections based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, reproductive health care, and autonomy. This amendment, which received overwhelming support with 71 percent voting YES, ensures that abortion rights and other civil rights are protected in New York's constitution.