Vermont voters approve constitutional amendments for labor and LGBTQ+ rights

Vermont voters have approved two constitutional amendments aimed at strengthening labor protections and civil rights.

Proposal 3 enshrines the right to collective bargaining for employees. This amendment is designed to prevent future legislation from interfering with or diminishing labor agreements, specifically outlawing “right-to-work” laws in the state. Proponents view the measure as a defense against national efforts to restrict union influence, citing Illinois as a model for robust labor protections. Critics, however, argue the change could grant unions excessive power and lead to long-term financial costs for residents.

Proposal 4 provides explicit equal protection guarantees under the state constitution. The amendment protects individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, in addition to race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, and national origin. Supporters stated the measure provides constitutional clarity and creates a state-level safeguard that exceeds the minimum protections offered by the federal Constitution.