To the editor: Make history; Vote yes on Prop 4

On Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, you can vote to amend the Vermont Constitution by adding Proposal 4, Equality of Rights.

Adopted in 1777, the Vermont State Constitution, our founding legal document stating the overarching values of our society, does not have an equal protection clause that prohibits discrimination based on a person’s race, sex, religion, or other characteristics.

Article 7, Common Benefits Clause, serves as the constitutional protection against unequal treatment but does not address the problems of unfair and unjust discrimination. Prop 4 changes this by addressing historical gaps in our constitution and strengthening civil rights. The proposed amendment reads: That the people are guaranteed equal protection under the law. The State shall not deny equal treatment under the law on account of a person’s race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin. 

Amending Vermont’s Constitution to include Prop 4 expands upon the principles of equality and liberty and protects all Vermonters from discrimination by ensuring the government does not create or perpetuate the legal, social, or economic inferiority of any class of people.

Prop 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 their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
• ensure the strongest legal protection for all Vermonters with comprehensive and inclusive equal protection. This is particularly significant because we can no longer count on the federal government or Supreme Court to provide adequate protection against discrimination.

The Vermont State Constitution is meant to protect all of us. Right now, this is not the case. We need a constitutional amendment to guarantee that our rights and freedoms are protected.

You should vote for Prop 4 because it is important that every Vermonter be treated with dignity and respect. Enshrining Prop 4 in the state constitution is a permanent victory for all of us who truly believe in equality. Prop 4 makes clear that our founding document stands for everyone who calls Vermont home.

It’s your Turn to Make History. Let’s Vote YES on Prop 4.

Marguerite Adelman
Vice President of the Board of Directors
League of Women Voters of Vermont