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!
- IV.1 proposed for 1916 • Section 1: Executive power, how vested. • In Article IV: Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- IV.2 proposed for 1916 • Section 2: Requisite qualifications of Governor. • In Article IV: Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- IV.3 proposed for 1916 • Section 3: Time and manner of electing Governor and Lieutenant-Governor. • In Article IV: Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- IV.4 proposed for 1916 • Section 4: Duties and powers of Governor — His compensation. • In Article IV: Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- IV.5 proposed for 1916 • Section 5: Pardoning power vested in the Governor. • In Article IV: Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- IV.6 proposed for 1916 • Section 6: Powers of Governor to devolve on Lieutenant-Governor. • In Article IV: Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- IV.7 proposed for 1916 • Section 7: Requisite qualifications of Governor. • In Article IV: Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- IV.8 proposed for 1916 • Section 8: Compensation of Lieutenant-Governor. • In Article IV: Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- IV.9 proposed for 1916 • 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: Executive ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- V.1 proposed for 1916 • Section 1: Budget process for state departments. • In Article V: Appropriations and Budget ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VI.1 proposed for 1916 • Section 1: Civil departments of state government. • In Article VI: State Departments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VI.2 proposed for 1916 • Section 2: Heads of civil departments of state government. • In Article VI: State Departments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VI.3 proposed for 1916 • Section 3: Legislature to provide for assignment of duties of civil departments. • In Article VI: State Departments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VI.4 proposed for 1916 • Section 4: Department heads appointed and may be removed by governor. • In Article VI: State Departments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VI.5 proposed for 1916 • Section 5: Removal and vacancies of heads of departments. • In Article VI: State Departments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VI.6 proposed for 1916 • Section 6: Removal and vacancies of attorney general and comptroller. • In Article VI: State Departments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VI.7 proposed for 1916 • Section 7: Commissioners of the Canal Board. • In Article VI: State Departments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VI.8 proposed for 1916 • Section 8: Exception for military and navy. • In Article VI: State Departments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VII.1 proposed for 1916 • Section 1: Heads of department of conservation. • In Article VII: Conservation ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VII.2 proposed for 1916 • Section 2: Forest preserve. • In Article VII: Conservation ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VII.3 proposed for 1916 • Section 3: Lands of the forest preserve. • In Article VII: Conservation ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VII.4 proposed for 1916 • Section 4: New York City's municipal water supply. • In Article VII: Conservation ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VII.4.alternative proposed for 1916 • Section 4.alternative: Debts of the state. • In Article VII: Conservation ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 2 of 1915
- VII.5 proposed for 1916 • Section 5: State purchase of land in the Adirondacks and Catskills. • In Article VII: Conservation ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VII.6 proposed for 1916 • Section 6: Right of people to sue. • In Article VII: Conservation ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VIII.1 proposed for 1916 • Section 1: Supreme Court ; how constituted ; judicial districts. • In Article VIII: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VIII.2 proposed for 1916 • Section 2: Judicial departments; appellate division, how constituted; Governor to designate justices; reporter; time and place of holding; courts. • In Article VIII: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VIII.3 proposed for 1916 • Section 3: Appellate term of supreme court. • In Article VIII: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VIII.4 proposed for 1916 • Section 4: Judges not to sit in review of certain cases. • In Article VIII: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VIII.5 proposed for 1916 • Section 5: Terms of office. • In Article VIII: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VIII.6 proposed for 1916 • Section 6: Legislature to pass civil practice act and rules. • In Article VIII: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VIII.7 proposed for 1916 • Section 7: Court of Claims. • In Article VIII: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VIII.8 proposed for 1916 • Section 8: Supreme court commissioners. • In Article VIII: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VIII.9 proposed for 1916 • Section 9: Court of Appeals. • In Article VIII: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VIII.10 proposed for 1916 • Section 10: Vacancies, how filled. • In Article VIII: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VIII.11 proposed for 1916 • Section 11: Jurisdiction of Court of Appeals. • In Article VIII: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VIII.12 proposed for 1916 • Section 12: Judges of Court of Appeals, or justices of Supreme Court, to hold no other office. • In Article VIII: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VIII.13 proposed for 1916 • Section 13: Removals — Proceedings in relation thereto. • In Article VIII: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VIII.14 proposed for 1916 • Section 14: Compensation; age restriction; assignment by Governor. • In Article VIII: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915
- VIII.15 proposed for 1916 • Section 15: Impeachment. • In Article VIII: Judiciary ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1915