Governor Signs Legislation Ending Election Law Gender Bias

Thomas P. Morahan

New York State Senator Thomas P. Morahanannounced that legislation he sponsored to require all petitions for political candidates to be gender neutral has been signed by Governor Pataki. Senate bill S 1503 and Assembly bill A.10330,require the addition of 'feminine provisions' wherever the masculine pronoun appears.

"This new law, in a small but symbolic way, reflects the decades-long effort by society to promote equality. The legislation, which takes effect December 1, 2006, amends the text of the election law by adding the feminine pronoun wherever the masculine pronoun appears. Gender neutral petitions reinforce a spirit of equality that needs to be conveyed in our election laws," said Senator Morahan, former chairman of the NYS Senate Elections Committee.

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