A coalition backing a proposed Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment released new statewide polling and said Friday it will press lawmakers to put the measure before voters in 2026.

"Let's be crystal clear, Minnesotans want the ERA," said Megan Peterson, executive director of Gender Justice, citing a poll the coalition said was conducted Jan. 23–27 that found two-thirds of Minnesotans (67%) would vote yes on an inclusive equal rights amendment and that 55% of voters support placing the amendment on the ballot next year.

The amendment would add an explicit equal-protection guarantee to the Minnesota Constitution, advocates said, and its backers argue the language is broadened to protect reproductive rights, gender identity and LGBTQ protections at the state level even if federal protections change.

"We believe in a Minnesota where everyone belongs," said Kat Rohn, executive director of OutFront Minnesota, describing recent federal actions and rhetoric that advocates say have eroded protections for trans and gender-expansive people. Rohn added that, while a state amendment cannot override federal law, it would give Minnesotans a way to enshrine state-level safeguards.

Geri Katz, director of organizing for Jewish Community Action, framed support for the amendment in faith terms, saying, "Our community wholeheartedly supports a Minnesota equal rights amendment that protects the dignity and rights of every Minnesotan."

State Representative Lee Finke, the House author of the proposed amendment, said supporters nearly passed the measure last year in the House but were blocked in the Senate after a filibuster. "It is about celebrating and protecting difference," Finke said, calling the amendment "an equal rights amendment for everyone."

Senator Mary Kunish, the Senate author, said she plans to press for referral to the ballot and told reporters, "It is time to get the equal rights amendment question to the voters in 2026." Kunish and other advocates said they expanded the amendment's language to be explicit about reproductive rights and protections against discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation and disability so courts would not be left to interpret broad language in an uncertain legal climate.

Advocates pointed to other states as precedents: the group said New York passed a similar state equal rights amendment last November and that Oregon is considering a ballot measure for 2026. The coalition also said it is building a multi-faith and statewide coalition called Minnesotans for Equal Rights to campaign for the referral and passage.

Organizers did not announce a legislative timeline or provide a finalized ballot title at the press conference. They said the full ballot language was among the items tested in the poll but did not provide the poll’s full methodology beyond the Jan. 23–27 field dates and the topline percentages cited.

Supporters said they will continue outreach to lawmakers across party lines to seek the votes needed to refer the amendment to voters. No formal legislative action was announced at the event.