BURLINGTON-On Nov. 3, vote “yes” to amend the Vermont Constitution by adding Proposal 4, Equality of Rights.
Vermont’s constitution does not have an equal protection clause that prohibits discrimination based on a person’s race, sex, religion, or other characteristics.
Article 7, the Common Benefits Clause, serves as the constitutional protection against unequal treatment but does not address the problems of unfair and unjust discrimination.
Proposal 4 would change this by addressing historical gaps in our constitution and strengthening civil rights. It would expand upon the principles of equality and liberty and protect all Vermonters from discrimination by ensuring the government does not create or perpetuate the legal, social, or economic inferiority of any class of people.
Proposal 4 would:
• serve as a foundation for protecting the rights and dignity of historically marginalized populations and address existing inequalities.
• add to existing protections by explicitly specifying that the government must not deny equal treatment under law on account of a person’s race, ethnicity, religion, disability, national origin, and sex — including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
• ensure the strongest legal protection for all Vermonters with comprehensive and inclusive equal protection. This is significant because we can no longer count on the federal government or Supreme Court to provide adequate protection against discrimination.
Enshrining Proposal 4 in the state constitution will be a victory for all who believe in equality. Vote yes, because it makes clear that our founding document stands for everyone who calls Vermont home.
League of Women Voters of Vermont
Burlington
Marguerite Adelman, vice president
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