Vermont voters will have the opportunity to decide on a significant amendment to the state's constitution in the upcoming fall election. This proposal, which received final approval from the Vermont House of Representatives, aims to guarantee equal treatment under the law for all individuals, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or nationality.
The process behind this proposed amendment, known as PR.4, has been extensive and has required the endorsement of back-to-back legislative sessions before it can be presented to voters. The Vermont Senate first introduced this measure nearly a decade ago, and after gaining unanimous support, delivered its final approval in March 2026.
Advocates of the proposal contend that it strengthens the principles laid out in the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. By clearly identifying groups that have faced historic discrimination, the amendment is seen as a crucial step towards bolstering equal rights protections within Vermont. If passed, it would become the 23rd article in the state’s foundational document, aligning Vermont more closely with a majority of other states that already have similar equal rights amendments in place.
Representative Barbara Rachelson, a Democrat from Burlington, remarked on the House floor, “The federal Constitution represents a floor, not a ceiling, of rights. It shows us the minimum we can do, not the maximum.” Rachelson emphasized the importance of Vermont creating its jurisprudence concerning equal protection, rather than solely relying on federal standards.
The proposal enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and Senate; however, it faced slightly more opposition compared to when it first gained approval in the House two years prior. In a recent vote, the amendment passed in the House with a tally of 128-14, a notable increase in dissent from the previous session's vote, which saw only four members opposing it. Most of the dissenting voices this time were from Republican members, reflecting the rising number of GOP representatives in the House.
Among those voting against the measure was Representative Tom Burditt, the vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee, alongside other notable Republicans like Mark Higley, the assistant minority leader, and Zak Harvey, the vice chair of the state Republican Party. While only one of the dissenting GOP members, Val Taylor, articulated her reasons for opposition during the vote, she referenced her religious beliefs, stating, “I believe in my heart… the only words that are going to change Vermont and change this world, I believe, come from the Bible.” Taylor’s comments indicated a view that fundamental principles of love and peace stem from her Biblical convictions.
In contrast, the Senate maintained complete unanimity, with no senators opposing PR.4 in either the March vote or the initial approval in 2024. However, during this year’s vote, Senator Steve Heffernan, a Republican from Addison, was absent due to personal reasons and indicated he had not finalized his stance on the amendment, as he had received mixed feedback from constituents.
Pleading for voter engagement, proponents emphasized that the general election on November 3 will provide an essential platform for public input on the amendment. A simple majority of votes will be required for it to pass. If it is approved, this amendment would mark the third alteration to Vermont's state constitution within four years. Previous amendments, passed by voters in 2022, explicitly abolished slavery and indentured servitude and ensured the protection of reproductive rights within the state.
The proposed amendment reflects an ongoing commitment by Vermont lawmakers to enhance civil rights and protections within the state, demonstrating an evolving legal landscape that prioritizes equality for all citizens.
