An unconstitutional and problematic ballot measure on New York ballots this November would threaten the rights of seniors in the state. 

More than 4 million older adults live in New York, making it the state with the fourth largest population of seniors in the country. The elderly population is only growing, as the older adult population is rising faster than the general population in most of the state.

If the proposed constitutional amendment called “Proposal 1” is permanently enshrined into the state’s Constitution, “age” would become a constitutionally protected class. Specifically, it would forbid “unequal treatment” based on “age.” 

Prop 1 sounds good on paper, but it is vague and would inadvertently endanger any rights, benefits, and services based on age. It opens the door for New Yorkers to abuse the services intended for the millions of older adults.