Vermont voters approved two amendments to the state constitution Tuesday, adopting provisions on employee collective bargaining and equal protection.
Collective Bargaining Amendment
Proposal 3 places a collective-bargaining guarantee in the Vermont Constitution. It also prevents enactment of future laws classified as “right-to-work” measures.
The amendment’s language bars government action that “interferes with, negates, or diminishes” employees’ collective-bargaining rights. Before reaching voters, the proposal cleared the Senate by a 29-0 vote and passed the House 125-15.
Supporters of Proposal 3 spent nearly $800,000 during the election cycle. Shortly after 11 p.m., counted ballots showed 74.05% in favor and 25.95% opposed.
Equal Protection Amendment
Proposal 4 adds an equal-protection guarantee covering race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and national origin.
The House approved Proposal 4 by a 128-14 margin, and the Senate adopted it without opposition. Tallied election results showed 79% support for the measure and 21% opposition.
Recent Constitutional Votes
The Tuesday vote was Vermont’s latest ratification of constitutional amendments since 2022. The two measures were approved separately, with Proposal 3 addressing workplace bargaining protections and Proposal 4 setting out the listed equal-protection categories.