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NY enshrines abortion rights in constitution
New York voters passed a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights and other anti-discrimination measures.
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United States
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- What did New York voters approve?
- New York voters approved a constitutional amendment to protect abortion access and other rights against discrimination based on sex, gender identity, pregnancy, and reproductive healthcare.
- What is the main purpose of the amendment?
- The amendment, while not explicitly mentioning abortion, safeguards against discrimination related to reproductive healthcare and autonomy, responding to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
- What is the broader context of this amendment?
- This move follows other states' efforts to enshrine abortion rights in their constitutions, highlighting a broader trend in response to the Supreme Court's decision on Roe v. Wade.
- What were the main arguments against the amendment?
- Republicans opposed the amendment, focusing on concerns about transgender women in sports and minors' access to gender-affirming care without parental consent; good government advocates cited the amendment's imprecision.
- What abortion protections already existed in New York?
- New York already had strong abortion protections through the 2019 Reproductive Health Act, allowing abortion up to 24 weeks and later under certain conditions; the amendment further solidifies these rights constitutionally.