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!
- I.6 proposed for 1870 • 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 1869
- I.7 proposed for 1870 • Section 7: Compensation for private property, how ascertained; private roads. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- I.8 proposed for 1870 • Section 8: Freedom of speech and press; evidence in libel cases. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- I.9 proposed for 1870 • Section 9: No unreasonable seizure or searches. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- I.10 proposed for 1870 • Section 10: Right to assemble and petition. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- I.11 proposed for 1870 • Section 11: Sovereignty in real property; escheats. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- I.12 proposed for 1870 • Section 12: Feudal tenures abolished. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- I.13 proposed for 1870 • Section 13: Absolute ownership of estates. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- I.14 proposed for 1870 • Section 14: Leases of agricultural lands limited. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- I.15 proposed for 1870 • Section 15: Restraints on alienation prohibited. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- I.16 proposed for 1870 • Section 16: Conmon law continued. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- I.17 proposed for 1870 • Section 17: Royal grants and charters preserved. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- I.18 proposed for 1870 • Section 18: Indian lands. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- I.19 proposed for 1870 • Section 19: Fish. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- I.20 proposed for 1870 • Section 20: Divorce. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- II.1 proposed for 1870 • Section 1: Qualification of voters. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- II.1 proposed for 1870 • Section 1: Qualification of voters. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 4 of 1869
- II.2 proposed for 1870 • Section 2: Exclusion from right of suffrage. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- II.3 proposed for 1870 • Section 3: Right of suffrage not affected by certain occupations and conditions. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- II.4 proposed for 1870 • Section 4: Registration of voters. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- II.5 proposed for 1870 • Section 5: Elections to be by ballot. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.1 proposed for 1870 • Section 1: Legislative power. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.2 proposed for 1870 • Section 2: Senate, how constituted; Senate districts. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.3 proposed for 1870 • Section 3: Census; reapportionment of senators. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.4 proposed for 1870 • Section 4: Assembly, how constituted; Apportionment of assembly. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.5 proposed for 1870 • Section 5: Compensation of members. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.6 proposed for 1870 • Section 6: Members not to receive certain civil appointments; Certain Federal officers disqualified as members. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.7 proposed for 1870 • Section 7: Time of elections; legislative term. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.8 proposed for 1870 • Section 8: Quorum; special powers of each house. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.9 proposed for 1870 • Section 9: Journals; public sessions; adjournments. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.10 proposed for 1870 • Section 10: Privileges of members. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.11 proposed for 1870 • Section 11: Bills may originate in either house. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.12 proposed for 1870 • Section 12: Enacting clause. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.13 proposed for 1870 • Section 13: Manner of passing bills. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.14 proposed for 1870 • Section 14: Laws on one subject. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.15 proposed for 1870 • Section 15: Adjournment of legislature. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.16 proposed for 1870 • Section 16: Private claims against the State. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.17 proposed for 1870 • Section 17: Extra compensation for officers. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.18 proposed for 1870 • Section 18: Vacancies. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869
- III.19 proposed for 1870 • Section 19: Removal of officers. ◦ Proposed by Constitutional Convention ◦ On the ballot as proposed amendment 1 of 1869