The NYDLC Constitutional Convention Working Group is focused on several important NYS voting rights policy issues implicated by the NYS Constitution and the delegate selection process for the NYS Constitutional Convention proposal, which will appear on the ballot statewide in November, 2017.
Section 2 of Article XIX of New York State's constitution provides that every twenty years, at the general election (November 2017), the question “Shall there be a convention to revise the constitution and amend the same?” must be placed on the ballot. If a majority of voters approve, the following year (November 2018), the voters of every State Senate district in New York shall elect three delegates as well as fifteen delegates-at-large, who will then convene in Albany in April (April 2, 2019) to consider amendments to the NYS Constitution. Any amendments proposed at the convention must then be subsequently ratified or defeated by New York voters at the subsequent November election.
Although NYDLC is not taking an official position on whether there should be a Constitutional Convention in 2017, we believe it is important to educate the public and raise awareness about the ballot question, and to discuss, research, and prepare proposals that align with NYDLC's pro-voter mission, in the event that a majority of New Yorkers decide in favor of the November 2017 question. We encourage all who are interested to take a look at the following resources on this issue:
Several NYDLC pro-voter legislative priorities currently implicate the NYS Constitution, insofar as certain election-related issues (eg. what is the latest voter registration deadline permissible?; who qualifies for an absentee ballot?) are inscribed there.
If given the opportunity, what should New York's Constitution say about voting rights? Help us decide!
To join the Con Con Working Group, Contact Chair Jeff Wice by email: [email protected]
To view NYDLC's upcoming events, including Con-Con Working Group meetings and programs, visit our EVENTS PAGE