Vermont voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to add constitutional protections for collective bargaining and equal treatment under state law. The two questions are separate, and voters may approve or reject each one.
The proposed language appears in the secretary of state's 2026 voter guide and in the governor's formal notice of the amendments.
Proposal 3: collective bargaining
Proposal 3 would protect employees' right to organize or join a labor organization and bargain with an employer through an exclusive representative of their choosing. Collective bargaining means workers negotiating with an employer through a chosen representative over wages, hours and working conditions.
Its language would also bar laws that interfere with or diminish those bargaining rights. It includes a prohibition on laws barring the enforcement of an employer-union agreement that requires union membership as a condition of employment.
Proposal 4: equal protection
Proposal 4 would guarantee equal protection under the law and prohibit the state from denying equal treatment because of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or national origin.
The text also says the amendment must not be interpreted to prevent measures intended to provide equal treatment and opportunity for groups historically subject to discrimination.
Why a public vote is required
Vermont's amendment process requires legislative approval in two successive biennial sessions before a proposal goes to voters. The governor's notice explains that the first Senate vote requires two-thirds support, with House approval, followed by majority approval in both chambers in the next session.
A majority of voters must then approve the proposal for it to become part of the constitution. Voters can review the exact language on pages 8 and 9 of the official guide for Essex Town and obtain a personalized ballot guide from the secretary of state.