Join NYDLC on Thurs, Feb. 16th for our First Constitutional Convention Working Group Call! 

(For dial-in info, please RSVP below and the number will be emailed)

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 has not taken an official position on the question of whether or not to 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 members to take a look at The New York State Constitutional Convention Clearinghouse, a useful resource 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? Join the Working Group and help us decide. 

Please RSVP below and you will receive credentials for the NYDLC Constitutional Convention Working Group Call.