Laws governing ballot measures in New York
From Ballotpedia
This page provides an overview of resources addressing the laws and procedures that govern statewide and local ballot measures in New York, including constitutional amendments and campaign finance regulations.
Explore the links below for more information:
- Types of ballot measures in New York
- Amending the New York Constitution
- Laws governing local ballot measures in New York
- Laws governing recall in New York
- Laws governing state constitutional conventions in New York
- Campaign finance requirements for New York ballot measures
- Changes to laws governing ballot measures in New York
Laws governing ballot measures in New York
Types of ballot measures in New York
- In New York, citizens do not have the power to initiate ballot measures at the state level.
- In New York, the legislature can refer constitutional amendments, Legislatively referred bond measures, and advisory questions.
- The New York Constitution requires a constitutional convention question appear on ballots every 20 years starting in 1957.
Amending the New York Constitution
- New York became a state in 1788. The current state constitution was ratified in 1894.
- The New York Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution—legislatively referred constitutional amendments and a state constitutional convention. A simple majority vote is required during two successive legislative sessions for the New York State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. New York requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.
Laws governing local ballot measures in New York
- All of New York's 62 cities have the authority to initiate charter amendments under state law.
Laws governing recall in New York
- New York does not allow the recall of elected officials.
Laws governing state constitutional conventions in New York
- According to Section 2 of Article XIX of the New York Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years starting in 1957. New York is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.
Campaign finance requirements for New York ballot measures
- In New York, any group that acts in support of or opposition to a ballot measure is considered a ballot measure committee (BMC). A BMC must file a two-part statement of organization certifying the name of the committee's treasurer and its bank account before the BMC may accept contributions or make expenditures.
Changes to laws governing ballot measures in New York
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
The New York State Legislature did not pass legislation concerning ballot measures in 2025.
See also
Footnotes
