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!
- VI.2 proposed for 1906 • Section 2: Judicial departments; appellate division, how constituted; Governor to designate justices; reporter; time and place of holding; courts. • In Article VI: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 7 of 1905
- VII.4 proposed for 1906 • Section 4: Limitation of legislative power in the creation of debts. • In Article VII: State Finance; Forest Preserve; Canals ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 6 of 1905
- VII.11 proposed for 1906 • Section 11: Payment of State debts. • In Article VII: State Finance; Forest Preserve; Canals ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 2 of 1905
- VII.12 proposed for 1906 • Section 12: Improvement of highways. • In Article VII: State Finance; Forest Preserve; Canals ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 5 of 1905
- VIII.10 proposed for 1906 • Section 10: Limitation of indebtedness of counties, cities, towns and villages; exception as to city of New York. • In Article VIII: Corporations and Charities ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1905
- XII.1 proposed for 1906 • Section 1: Organization of cities and villages. • In Article XII: Cities and Villages ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1905
- VIII.10 proposed for 1908 • Section 10: Limitation of indebtedness of counties, cities, towns and villages; exception as to city of New York. • In Article VIII: Corporations and Charities ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1907
- XII.2 proposed for 1908 • Section 2: Classification of cities ; general and special city laws ; special city laws ; how passed by Legislature and accepted by cities. • In Article XII: Cities and Villages ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 2 of 1907
- III.27 proposed for 1910 • Section 27: Local legislative powers. • In Article III: The Legislature ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 3 of 1909
- VI.12 proposed for 1910 • Section 12: Compensation; age restriction; assignment by Governor. • In Article VI: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1909
- VII.4 proposed for 1910 • Section 4: Limitation of legislative power to create debts. • In Article VII: State Finance; Forest Preserve; Canals ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 2 of 1909
- VIII.10 proposed for 1910 • Section 10: Limitation of indebtedness of counties, cities, towns and villages; exception as to city of New York. • In Article VIII: Corporations and Charities ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1909
- VI.7 proposed for 1911 • Section 7: Court of Appeals. • In Article VI: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1910
- I.6 proposed for 1912 • Section 6: Grand jury. • In Article I: Bill Of Rights ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1911
- I.7 proposed for 1912 • Section 7: Private property — Private roads. • In Article I: Bill Of Rights ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 7 of 1911
- III.6 proposed for 1912 • Section 6: Party representation in election boards, etc. • In Article III: The Legislature ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1911
- IV.4 proposed for 1912 • Section 4: Duties and powers of Governor — His compensation. • In Article IV: The Executive ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 5 of 1911
- VI.2 proposed for 1912 • Section 2: Judicial departments; appellate division, how constituted; Governor to designate justices; reporter; time and place of holding; courts. • In Article VI: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 2 of 1911
- VI.14 proposed for 1912 • Section 14: County Courts. • In Article VI: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 3 of 1911
- VII.8 proposed for 1912 • Section 8: Certain canals not to be leased or sold. • In Article VII: State Finance; Forest Preserve; Canals ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 6 of 1911
- I.7 proposed for 1914 • Section 7: Compensation for taking private property; private roads; drainage of agricultural lands; excess condemnation. • In Article I: Bill Of Rights ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1913
- I.19 proposed for 1914 • Section 19: Workmen's compensation. • In Article I: Bill Of Rights ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 2 of 1913
- VI.14 proposed for 1914 • Section 14: County Courts. • In Article VI: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 3 of 1913
- VII.7 proposed for 1914 • Section 7: Forest preserve. • In Article VII: State Finance; Forest Preserve; Canals ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1913
- Preamble proposed for 1916 • Section : Preamble • In Article Preamble: ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- I.1 proposed for 1916 • Section 1: Rights of citizens. • In Article I: Civil rights ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- I.2 proposed for 1916 • Section 2: Trial by jury. • In Article I: Civil rights ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- I.3 proposed for 1916 • Section 3: Religious toleration. • In Article I: Civil rights ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- I.4 proposed for 1916 • Section 4: When writ of habeas corpus not to be suspended. • In Article I: Civil rights ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- I.5 proposed for 1916 • Section 5: Excessive bail, fines, and punishments prohibited; rights of witness. • In Article I: Civil rights ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- I.6 proposed for 1916 • Section 6: Rights of accused in criminal cases; taking private property for public use. • In Article I: Civil rights ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- I.7 proposed for 1916 • Section 7: Compensation for private property, how ascertained; private roads; drainage. • In Article I: Civil rights ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- I.8 proposed for 1916 • Section 8: Freedom of speech and press; evidence in libel cases. • In Article I: Civil rights ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- I.9 proposed for 1916 • Section 9: Right to assemble and petition; divorces; lotteries prohibited. • In Article I: Civil rights ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- I.10 proposed for 1916 • Section 10: Sovereignty in real property; escheats. • In Article I: Civil rights ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- I.11 proposed for 1916 • Section 11: Feudal tenures abolished. • In Article I: Civil rights ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- I.12 proposed for 1916 • Section 12: Absolute ownership of estates. • In Article I: Civil rights ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- I.13 proposed for 1916 • Section 13: Leases of agricultural lands limited. • In Article I: Civil rights ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- I.14 proposed for 1916 • Section 14: Restraints on alienation prohibited. • In Article I: Civil rights ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- I.15 proposed for 1916 • Section 15: Indian lands. • In Article I: Civil rights ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915