Taking A Closer Look At Propositions 1 And 2

Making Democracy Work:  Are You Ready to Vote?  Let’s take a closer look at Propositions 1 and 2

by Karen Anderson

     The General Election is almost here. New York State makes it convenient for all its citizens to vote and offers four options. You may choose to vote in person during early voting days, October 26 - November 3 (locations, dates times at https//my.lwv.org/news-york/suffolk-county) and on  Election Day, November 5, 6am - 9 pm. If you can’t get to a voting site, you can apply for an absentee ballot or an early mail ballot. Apply for either of these by October 26. They must be mailed and postmarked by November 5. These ballots can also be hand delivered by close of polls. To apply for an absentee ballot, you must provide a reason for the request. No reason is needed for an early mail ballot. Each polling place has a voting machine designed for use by people with disabilities. The NYS Board of Elections website, elections.ny.gov, is helpful with online voter registration, absentee and early mail ballot applications. It can tell you if you are registered, where your polling place is and the national, state and local districts you are in. 

     Our safe and secure elections (TBR September article) are also private and a personal choice. No one needs to see your ballot. Everyone should mark their own ballot in a private booth. A privacy sleeve can be used to cover your ballot and keep it secret until you slide it into the ballot counting machine. Your name is not on the ballot. There is no way to know who or what you voted for. If you are registered with a political party, people may assume you support that party and its candidates but you are free to cast your ballot anyway you choose. 

      This election our rights and health are on the ballot. Voters in Suffolk County will be asked to flip the ballot and vote on the propositions on the back. New York State Proposition 1, if passed, will amend our state constitution which currently only protects us from government discrimination based on race and religion. The amendment will add protection from discrimination to include age, sex, gender identity, disability, national origin, and pregnancy, closing loopholes in the state Constitution. 

     Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, we have seen many legislatures pass laws outlawing abortion, criminalizing healthcare workers, and causing women to travel to other states for needed healthcare. Even life threatening complications have not been enough for some women to receive medical treatment. Doctors are afraid to treat their pregnant patients because they could be jailed and lose their licenses. Women are dying due to restrictive laws written by politicians who base the laws on religious, personal and political beliefs, not scientific or medical knowledge. Contraception drugs and IVF treatments have come under fire. Politicians want to deny women the right to choose how and when they should plan their families. 

     New Yorkers have reproductive rights now, but this can change with changing political winds. We should all have the freedom to control our own bodies. Amending the constitution will enshrine these rights and make it difficult to remove them. Proposition 1 will protect all New Yorkers from government discrimination and maintain abortion rights.

     Suffolk County Proposition 2 if approved will create a fund, financed by an 1/8 of a penny increase to the county sales tax (that’s 12 cents on $100), which will only be used to improve water quality in Suffolk County. Our water and way of life are at risk due to nitrogen pollution from untreated sewage. The Water Quality Restoration Act would expand sewers and provide tax-free grants to homeowners to replace old polluting septic systems with clean water technology. Clean water projects will create good jobs, increase property values, restore our bays and harbors and improve public health. 

     The League of Women Voters is advocating for these propositions and urges you to vote “Yes” on both.

Karen Anderson is a member of the leadership team of the League of Women Voters of  Smithtown a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, visit https//my.lwv.org/news-york/suffolk-county.  Visit vote411.org for comprehensive election information (available 4 weeks before election day).

View the above article on the TimesBeaconRecord Media website at

https://tbrnewsmedia.com/making-democracy-work-are-you-ready-to-vote-lets-take-a-closer-look-at-proposition-1-and-2/