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The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

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description The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Overview

The ERA seeks to guarantee that no state shall deny or abridge the right of the male or female to any right or privilege enjoyed by the other. While its passage has been fraught with political difficulty, its existence represents a monumental, ongoing struggle for gender parity within the highest law of the land. It remains a critical benchmark for feminist legal advocacy.

help The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) FAQ

What does the Equal Rights Amendment actually say?

Section 1 states that equality of rights under the law cannot be denied or abridged by the United States or any state because of sex. Congress approved the ERA in 1972 and sent it to the states for ratification.

How many states must ratify the Equal Rights Amendment?

Article V required approval by three-fourths of the states, which means 38 states today. Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the ERA in January 2020.

Why is the Equal Rights Amendment still legally disputed?

Congress originally set a seven-year ratification deadline in 1972 and later extended it to June 30, 1982, while supporters argue that the extension and later ratifications should count. The National Archivist has not certified the ERA as part of the Constitution, so its legal status remains contested.

Would the Equal Rights Amendment create a new right to vote?

No, the ERA is designed to require sex equality in legal rights rather than create a separate voting amendment. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, already prohibits denying the vote on the basis of sex.

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