On Jan. 16, the Delaware Legislature completed the process of adopting an Equal Rights Amendment to its state constitution. It reads: “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex.” Delaware now joins the list of states providing textual protection from gender discrimination. Notably, it is the only state in the Union that does not require proposed state constitutional amendments to be submitted to the voters for ratification. Rather, if an amendment passes both houses by a two-thirds majority, it is published before the next general election. If it once again passes by a two-thirds majority after the election, it becomes part of the constitution.

The list of states with ERAs, however, often leaves out New Jersey despite the fact that, since 1947, our state constitution has banned sex discrimination.