Provisions
NY’s first state Constitutional Convention in 1777 adopted a founding document to establish the state, declare its sovereignty, and develop its laws.
Since then, a proposal to amend part or completely rewrite the constitution had to be sent to the voters for their approval by ballot question in order to join the constitution.
We’re tracking every time the voters weighed in on a proposed amendment.
Check out the lists below – click on a provision to get its full text and even more info, or click on the ballot question link to see how we voted on it!
And come back soon for even more NY Constitution fresh-squeezed! We’re in the process of breaking down each provision by policy issue and getting data to help understand what have been the big issues in state constitutional history.
This way we can ask ourselves: does the constitution reflect what *we* believe is important in New York’s basic law, or do we need to change it?
Every Proposed State Constitutional Provision Ever Sent to NYS Voters
Want to filter or search the constitutional provisions? Click here!
- III.16 proposed for 1895 • Section 16: Restriction as to private and local bills. • In Article III: The Legislature ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- III.17 proposed for 1895 • Section 17: Existing law not to be made a part of an act except by inserting it therein. • In Article III: The Legislature ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- III.18 proposed for 1895 • Section 18: Private and local bills, in which cases they may not be passed — General laws to be passed — Street railroads, conditions upon which they may be authorized. • In Article III: The Legislature ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- III.19 proposed for 1895 • Section 19: The Legislature not to audit or allow any private claim. • In Article III: The Legislature ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- III.20 proposed for 1895 • Section 20: Two-thirds bills. • In Article III: The Legislature ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- III.21 proposed for 1895 • Section 21: Use of public moneys. • In Article III: The Legislature ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- III.22 proposed for 1895 • Section 22: Same subject. • In Article III: The Legislature ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- III.23 proposed for 1895 • Section 23: Sections seventeen and eighteen not to apply to certain bills. • In Article III: The Legislature ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- III.24 proposed for 1895 • Section 24: Bill imposing tax, manner of passing. • In Article III: The Legislature ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- III.25 proposed for 1895 • Section 25: Same subject. • In Article III: The Legislature ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- III.26 proposed for 1895 • Section 26: Local legislative powers conferred on boards of supervisors. • In Article III: The Legislature ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- III.27 proposed for 1895 • Section 27: Local legislative powers. • In Article III: The Legislature ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- III.28 proposed for 1895 • Section 28: No extra compensation to be granted. • In Article III: The Legislature ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- III.29 proposed for 1895 • Section 29: Occupation and employment of convicts. • In Article III: The Legislature ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- IV.1 proposed for 1895 • Section 1: Executive power, how vested. • In Article IV: The Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- IV.2 proposed for 1895 • Section 2: Requisite qualifications of Governor. • In Article IV: The Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- IV.3 proposed for 1895 • Section 3: Time and manner of electing Governor and Lieutenant-Governor. • In Article IV: The Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- IV.4 proposed for 1895 • Section 4: Duties and powers of Governor — His compensation. • In Article IV: The Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- IV.5 proposed for 1895 • Section 5: Pardoning power vested in the Governor. • In Article IV: The Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- IV.6 proposed for 1895 • Section 6: Powers of Governor to devolve on Lieutenant-Governor. • In Article IV: The Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- IV.7 proposed for 1895 • Section 7: Requisite qualifications of Governor. • In Article IV: The Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- IV.8 proposed for 1895 • Section 8: Compensation of Lieutenant-Governor. • In Article IV: The Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- IV.9 proposed for 1895 • Section 9: Bills to be presented to the Governor for signature — If returened by him with objections, how disposed of — Bills to be returned within ten days — After adjournment, bills must be approved in thirty days, else cannot become law — Governor may object to items of appropriation in any bill. • In Article IV: The Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- V.1 proposed for 1895 • Section 1: State officers, how elected. • In Article V: State Officers; Civil Service ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- V.2 proposed for 1895 • Section 2: Same subject — Terms of office. • In Article V: State Officers; Civil Service ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- V.3 proposed for 1895 • Section 3: Superintendent of Public Works, powers and duties of. • In Article V: State Officers; Civil Service ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- V.4 proposed for 1895 • Section 4: Superintendent of Prisons, powers and duties of. • In Article V: State Officers; Civil Service ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- V.5 proposed for 1895 • Section 5: Commissioners of the Land Office — Commissioners of the Canal Fund — Canal Board. • In Article V: State Officers; Civil Service ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- V.6 proposed for 1895 • Section 6: Powers and duties of boards, etc. • In Article V: State Officers; Civil Service ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- V.7 proposed for 1895 • Section 7: Treasurer may be suspended by Governor. • In Article V: State Officers; Civil Service ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- V.8 proposed for 1895 • Section 8: Certain offices abolished. • In Article V: State Officers; Civil Service ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- V.9 proposed for 1895 • Section 9: Civil service. • In Article V: State Officers; Civil Service ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- VI.1 proposed for 1895 • Section 1: Supreme Court, of what it shall consist, etc. • In Article VI: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 5 of 1894
- VI.2 proposed for 1895 • Section 2: Division of judicial departments. • In Article VI: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- VI.3 proposed for 1895 • Section 3: Judges not to sit in review of certain cases. • In Article VI: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- VI.4 proposed for 1895 • Section 4: Terms of office. • In Article VI: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- VI.5 proposed for 1895 • Section 5: Abolition of City Courts. • In Article VI: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- VI.6 proposed for 1895 • Section 6: Abolition of Circuit Courts and Oyer and Terminer. • In Article VI: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- VI.7 proposed for 1895 • Section 7: Court of Appeals. • In Article VI: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894
- VI.8 proposed for 1895 • Section 8: Vacancies, how filled. • In Article VI: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1894