Judge declines to order New York to include ‘abortion’ in description of ballot measure
A New York judge says he won’t force state election officials to tell voters that a proposed antidiscrimination amendment to the state’s constitution would protect abortion rights
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A New York judge said Friday he won’t force state election officials to tell voters that a proposed antidiscrimination amendment to the state’s constitution would protect abortion rights, dealing a blow to Democrats who pushed for the change.
The decision from Judge David A. Weinstein came in a lawsuit over the language that voters will see on ballots this November explaining what the proposed Equal Rights Amendment would do if passed.
Democrats wanted the state Board of Elections to include the words “ abortion ” and “LGBT,” arguing that they would make the amendment’s purpose clearer to voters. Supporters of the measure said it would protect abortion access by expanding the state's antidiscrimination protections.
But Weinstein said he was reluctant to declare that the amendment would protect abortion rights.
