As Election Day draws closer on November 2, the familiar sights are all around of lawn signs and mailings for candidates seeking elected offices but something that you probably are not seeing are advertisements for the five New York Constitutional amendment proposals that will also be on the ballot.

The ballot amendments would 1) update the redistricting process 2) allow all voters to request an absentee ballot without cause 3) allow for same-day voter registration 4) add a right to clean air and water and a healthful environment to the state constitution 5) increase the jurisdictional limit of the NYC Civil Court from $25,000 to $50,000.

A change to New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission is included in one of the constitutional amendments (A.1916 of 2021).

  • Among its various provisions, it would modify the thresholds needed for the Redistricting Commission and Legislature to approve a redistricting plan from a two-thirds vote to a majority, and in some circumstances, a 60% vote
  • The thresholds would no longer vary depending on whether the Senate and the Assembly are controlled by the same or different political parties
  • The Redistricting Commission can approve a map by at least seven out of ten commissioners; because the majority party and the minority party both appoint four members to the commission, an approved plan necessarily would get an affirmative vote of at least one commissioner from both parties
  • It also requires the state to perform its own census if the federal census does not show the total population of the state, including non-citizens and Native Americans
  • Additionally, incorporating the practice already set by statute for Assembly and Senate districts, incarcerated individuals would be counted at their last place of residence, rather than where they are incarcerated, for congressional districts
  • In order to comply with the earlier primary date required by federal law, the amendment would also require the commission to submit its first redistricting plans earlier – at the end of the calendar year as opposed to the beginning of the next year
  • For the redistricting cycle due to proceed in 2022, the time frame would be condensed to meet election-related deadlines
  • If the Redistricting Commission does not vote on a plan by its deadline, it would submit any plans and supporting data in its possession to the Legislature
  • Finally, this constitutional amendment would cap the number of Senate seats at the present 63

November’s ballot will also include two constitutional amendments related to the voting process

One would allow any eligible voter to request an absentee ballot and vote by mail without a declared reason (A.4431 of 2021)

  • Under current law, voters are allowed to vote other than by machine vote on Election Day via early voting, or by absentee ballot only if they will be absent from the county on Election Day or have an illness or physical disability

The next voting-related amendment would allow for same-day voter registration (A.502 of 2021), eliminating the requirement that New Yorkers must register to vote at least 10 days prior to an election

Voters will also be deciding on an amendment that would add the right to clean air and water and a healthful environment to the New York State Constitution’s Bill of Rights (A.1368 of 2021)

The final constitutional amendment would allow the New York City Civil Court to hear and decide claims up to $50,000, instead of the current $25,000 limit (A.3109 of 2021)

There is still time to learn more about all of the proposals. Here is a detailed discussion of each of the ballot proposals from State of Politics with various viewpoints and perspectives.

There are local ballot proposals as well. Visit your local county board of elections website for more information.