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!
- VIII.10 proposed for 1939 • Section 10: Limitations on amount to be raised by real estate taxes for local purposes; exceptions. • In Article VIII: Local Finances ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- VIII.11 proposed for 1939 • Section 11: Taxes for certain capital expenditures to be excluded from tax limitation. • In Article VIII: Local Finances ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- VIII.12 proposed for 1939 • Section 12: Further limitations on contracting local indebtedness authorized. • In Article VIII: Local Finances ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- IX.1 proposed for 1939 • Section 1: Counties; organization and government; restrictions on legislature with respect to laws affecting. • In Article IX: Local Governments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- IX.2 proposed for 1939 • Section 2: Counties; alternative forms of government for; effect of adoption thereof. • In Article IX: Local Governments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- IX.3 proposed for 1939 • Section 3: Existing laws to remain applicable. • In Article IX: Local Governments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- IX.4 proposed for 1939 • Section 4: Further powers of local legislation and administration for counties; county auditors. • In Article IX: Local Governments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- IX.5 proposed for 1939 • Section 5: Sheriffs; clerks of counties; district attorneys; registers; power of approval. • In Article IX: Local Governments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- IX.6 proposed for 1939 • Section 6: Removal of district attorney for failure to prosecute; expenses in prosecutions of bribery. • In Article IX: Local Governments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- IX.7 proposed for 1939 • Section 7: Appointment or election of county officers when not provided for by the constitution. • In Article IX: Local Governments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- IX.8 proposed for 1939 • Section 8: Powers of the city of New York over certain county officers; restrictions on legislature; appointment or election of officers generally when not provided for by constitution. • In Article IX: Local Governments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- IX.9 proposed for 1939 • Section 9: Cities and villages; organization; powers to be restricted. • In Article IX: Local Governments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- IX.10 proposed for 1939 • Section 10: Extra compensation prohibited. • In Article IX: Local Governments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- IX.11 proposed for 1939 • Section 11: Passage of special city laws prohibited; exceptions. • In Article IX: Local Governments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- IX.12 proposed for 1939 • Section 12: Power of cities to enact local laws relating to property, affairs or government. • In Article IX: Local Governments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- IX.13 proposed for 1939 • Section 13: Existing laws to remain applicable; reservation of power in legislature over certain matters. • In Article IX: Local Governments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- IX.14 proposed for 1939 • Section 14: Annexation of territory of cities. • In Article IX: Local Governments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- IX.15 proposed for 1939 • Section 15: Election of city officers and certain county officers to be held in odd-numbered years. • In Article IX: Local Governments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- IX.16 proposed for 1939 • Section 16: Villages of five thousand or more; home rule for; duty of and restrictions on legislature respecting. • In Article IX: Local Governments ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- X.1 proposed for 1939 • Section 1: Corporations; formation of. • In Article X: Corporations ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- X.2 proposed for 1939 • Section 2: Dues of corporations. • In Article X: Corporations ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- X.3 proposed for 1939 • Section 3: Savings bank charters; restrictions on trustees; special charters not to be granted. • In Article X: Corporations ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- X.4 proposed for 1939 • Section 4: Corporations; definition; right to sue and be sued. • In Article X: Corporations ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- X.5 proposed for 1939 • Section 5: Public corporations; restrictions on creation and powers; accounts; obligations of. • In Article X: Corporations ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- XI.1 proposed for 1939 • Section 1: Common schools. • In Article XI: Education ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- XI.2 proposed for 1939 • Section 2: Regents of the University. • In Article XI: Education ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- XI.3 proposed for 1939 • Section 3: Common school, literature and the United States deposit funds. • In Article XI: Education ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- XI.4 proposed for 1939 • Section 4: Use of public property or money in aid of denominational schools prohibited; transportation of children authorized. • In Article XI: Education ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- XII.1 proposed for 1939 • Section 1: State militia. • In Article XII: Military ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- XII.2 proposed for 1939 • Section 2: Enlistment. • In Article XII: Military ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- XII.3 proposed for 1939 • Section 3: Organization of militia. • In Article XII: Military ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- XII.4 proposed for 1939 • Section 4: Governor to appoint adjutant-general and major-generals. • In Article XII: Military ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- XII.5 proposed for 1939 • Section 5: Appointment of other officers. • In Article XII: Military ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- XII.6 proposed for 1939 • Section 6: Commissioned officers; removal. • In Article XII: Military ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- XIII.1 proposed for 1939 • Section 1: Oath of office; no other test for public office. • In Article XIII: Public Officers ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- XIII.2 proposed for 1939 • Section 2: Bribery by public officials. • In Article XIII: Public Officers ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- XIII.3 proposed for 1939 • Section 3: Offer or promise to bribe. • In Article XIII: Public Officers ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- XIII.4 proposed for 1939 • Section 4: Person bribed or offering bribe may testify. • In Article XIII: Public Officers ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- XIII.5 proposed for 1939 • Section 5: Free passes, franking priviliges, etc. not to be received by public officers; penalty. • In Article XIII: Public Officers ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938
- XIII.6 proposed for 1939 • Section 6: Duration of term of office. • In Article XIII: Public Officers ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1938