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!
- IX.1 proposed for 1822 • Section 1: Constitution, when to take effect. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1822
- IX.2 proposed for 1822 • Section 2: Existing election laws applicable to first election. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1822
- Signature proposed for 1822 • Section : Signature ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1822
- II.1 proposed for 1826 • Section 1: Qualifications of voters. ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 2 of 1826
- IV.7 proposed for 1826 • Section 7: Governor to appoint judicial officers, except justices of the peace. ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1826
- IV.10 proposed for 1833 • Section 10: Mayors, how appointed; Election of Mayor in New York. ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 2 of 1833
- VII.10 proposed for 1833 • Section 10: Common school funds; canals; salt springs; Duties on salt. ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1833
- VII.10 proposed for 1835 • Section 10: Common school funds; canals; salt springs; Duties on salt; auction sales. ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1835
- IV.10 proposed for 1839 • Section 10: Election of Mayor. ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1839
- I.2 proposed for 1845 • Section 2: Senate and assembly, how constituted. ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1845
- I.13 proposed for 1845 • Section 13: Removals by legislature; Procedure on removing judicial officers. ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 2 of 1845
- III.2 proposed for 1845 • Section 2: Qualifications of governor. ◦ Proposed by the Legislature ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1845
- Preamble proposed for 1847 • Section : Preamble. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.1 proposed for 1847 • Section 1: Rights of citizens. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.2 proposed for 1847 • Section 2: Trial by jury preserved. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.3 proposed for 1847 • Section 3: Religious liberty. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.4 proposed for 1847 • Section 4: When writ of habeas corpus not to be suspended. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.5 proposed for 1847 • Section 5: Excessive bail, fines, and punishment prohibited; rights of witness. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.6 proposed for 1847 • Section 6: Rights of accused in criminal cases; taking private property for public use. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.7 proposed for 1847 • Section 7: Compensation for private property, how ascertained; private roads. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.8 proposed for 1847 • Section 8: Freedom of speech and press; evidence in libel cases. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.9 proposed for 1847 • Section 9: Two-thirds bills. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.10 proposed for 1847 • Section 10: Right to assemble and petition; divorces; lotteries prohibited. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.11 proposed for 1847 • Section 11: Sovereignty in real property; escheats. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.12 proposed for 1847 • Section 12: Feudal tenures abolished. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.13 proposed for 1847 • Section 13: Absolute ownership of estates. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.14 proposed for 1847 • Section 14: Leases of agricultural lands limited. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.15 proposed for 1847 • Section 15: Restraints on alienation prohibited. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.16 proposed for 1847 • Section 16: Indian lands. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.17 proposed for 1847 • Section 17: Conmon law continued. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- I.18 proposed for 1847 • Section 18: Royal grants and charters preserved. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- II.1 proposed for 1847 • Section 1: Qualifications of voters. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- II.2 proposed for 1847 • Section 2: Exclusion from right of suffrage. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- II.3 proposed for 1847 • Section 3: Right of suffrage not affected by certain occupations and conditions. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- II.4 proposed for 1847 • Section 4: Registration of voters. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- II.5 proposed for 1847 • Section 5: Elections to be by ballot. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- III.1 proposed for 1847 • Section 1: Legislative power. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- III.2 proposed for 1847 • Section 2: Senate and assembly, how constituted. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- III.3 proposed for 1847 • Section 3: Senate districts. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846
- III.4 proposed for 1847 • Section 4: Census; reapportionment of senators. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1846