New York Proposal 1, the Constitutional Convention Question, is on the ballot in New York as an automatic ballot referral on November 7, 2017. A constitutional convention is a meeting of elected delegates who propose amendments to or rewrite the state constitution.

Proposals developed at a convention are put on a ballot for voter consideration. New Yorkers voted on 12 constitutional convention questions during the 239 years between 1777 and 2016. In 2017—which is 240 years after the first constitution was ratified—citizens of the state are voting on the question for the 13th time. Of the 12 questions asked before 2017, seven resulted in constitutional conventions being held and four led to new state constitutions. Prior to 1900, four of five questions were approved. Between 1900 and 1999, three of seven questions were approved, representing a lower rate of approval compared to the previous century. As of November 1, 2017, polling indicated that a plurality of New Yorkers are interested in approving a constitutional convention question in 2017.

As of November 1, 2017, supporters of holding a state constitutional convention organized six political action committees. The committees had raised a combined total of $871,623, as of the latest disclosure reports from October 2017. Bill Samuels, a Democratic fundraiser, was the top contributor to supporters, donating $435,052. Groups that endorsed Proposal 1 include the NY State Bar Association, the NY City Bar Association, League of Women Voters of NY State, Citizens Union, and Forward March NY. Opponents of holding a convention organized as New Yorkers Against Corruption. The opposition PACs had raised $3.23 million, with unions and labor organizations making the five largest contributions. Organizations opposed to Proposal 1 include the NY State AFL-CIO, United Federation of Teachers, Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts, Right to Life, and the NY State Rifle and Pistol Association.

Section 2 of Article XIX of the New York Constitution provides for the automatic referral of a constitutional convention question every 20 years, including in 2017. The ballot question is the first step in the process of calling a constitutional convention in New York. If a majority of voters cast their ballots in favor of holding a convention on November 7, 2017, voters would elect 204 convention delegates on November 6, 2018. Fifteen of the delegates would be elected statewide. Three would be elected from each of the state’s 63 senate districts, totaling 189. The constitutional convention would convene on April 2, 2019, in Albany. Delegates would be allowed to draft a new constitution or amendments to the existing constitution. Referring a constitution or amendment to the ballot would require a simple majority vote of the delegates. Citizens would vote on the convention-proposed changes to the constitution on November 5, 2019. An approved constitution or approved amendments would take effect on January 1, 2020. Below is a flowchart detailing the process:

Support

The contribution and expenditure totals for committees in support of the ballot question were current as of November 1, 2017 in our findings.

Committees in support of the Constitutional Convention Question
Updated as of November 1, 2017
Supporting committees Cash contributions In-kind services Cash expenditures
Committee for a Constitutional Convention $109,909.20 $1,185.06 $88,379.64
NY People’s Convention PAC $317,925.00 $118,827.33 $287,311.38
Restrict & Regulate in NY State 2019 $41,849.00 $229,714.28 $36,750.83
New York State Bar Association for a Constitutional Convention $5,000.00 $25,982.39 $4,241.59
League of Women Voters of NYS Committee for Constitutional Convention $3,686.13 $0.00 $4,192.98
Citizens Union of the City of New York $15,415.00 $0.00 $50,545.43
Total $495,914.33 $375,709.06 $471,421.85
Totals in support
Total raised: $871,623.39
Total spent: $847,130.91

Donors

The following were the top six donors who contributed to the support committees as of November 1, 2017:

Donor Cash In-kind Total
William C. Samuels $316,225.00 $118,827.33 $435,052.33
Jerome W. Dewald $30,552.00 $229,714.28 $260,266.28
New York State Bar Association $5,000.00 $25,982.39 $30,982.39
Friends of Evan Davis $10,000.00 $0.00 $10,000.00
Joanne Witty $5,000.00 $0.00 $5,000.00
Amercanex $5,000.00 $0.00 $5,000.00

Opposition

The contribution and expenditure totals for committees in opposition the ballot question were current as of November 1, 2017.

Committees in opposition to the Constitutional Convention Question
Updated as of November 1, 2017
Opposing committees Cash contributions In-kind services Cash expenditures
New Yorkers Against Corruption $2,993,614.89 $217,571.73 $1,663,428.60
Say No to a Constitutional Convention $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Committee to Defend Forever Wild $0.00 $22,433.00 $0.00
Total $2,993,614.89 $240,004.73 $1,663,428.60
Totals in opposition
Total raised: $3,233,619.62
Total spent: $1,903,433.33

Donors

The following were the top six donors who contributed to the opposition committees as of November 1, 2017:

Donor Cash In-kind Total
New York State United Teachers $600,000.00 $22,000.00 $622,000.00
AFSCME $400,000.00 $54,425.00 $454,425.00
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) $250,000.00 $0.00 $250,000.00
SEIU 1199 $250,000.00 $0.00 $250,000.00
NYS AFL-CIO $180,000 $19,272.64 $199,272.64
New York State Pipe Trades Association $120,000.00 $19,272.64 $120,000.00

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