In addition to voting for candidates in 2014, New Yorkers may also have the opportunity to vote on whether to amend specific provisions of the New York State Constitution via referenda, otherwise known as ballot proposals.
Gotham Gazette will update this page with the information about specific proposals which will appear on the ballot in the 2014 general election.
The state constitution, like the United States Constitution, lays out government structures, citizens' rights, and the process through which the constitution can be amended.
According to the NYS Constitution, Article XIX, it can only be amended either by constitutional convention, or by referendum. For the constitution to be amended by referendum – where voters are asked for a "yes" or "no" vote to a proposal that appears on the ballot – this process must be followed:
1. A member or members of each the NYS Assembly and Senate must propose the amendment (through a resolution), and refer it to the NYS Attorney General for review.
2. The Attorney General must submit a written opinion with 20 days of referral to both the Assembly and Senate, which will explain any effects the proposed amendment would have on other provisions of the constitution. (But this is the only step which, if not completed, would not invalidate the amendment.)
3. Both the Assembly and Senate must vote on the proposed amendment, and it must receive a majority of votes in both houses of the legislature, and the "aye" and "nay" votes must be recorded.
4. In the next regular legislative session, the members of the Assembly and Senate must again vote on the proposed amendments, and it again must receive a majority of votes in both houses of the legislature.
5. The legislature must submit each proposed amendment to the NYS Board of Elections to appear on the next general election ballot.
6. The NYS Board of Elections must certify the language of the proposals - and their abstracts, or official summaries - by early August, 3 months before the General Election.
7. New Yorkers must approve the amendment proposal with a majority vote in the general election.
If a ballot proposal to amend the constitution receives a majority of votes from NYS citizens, it would be incorporated into the constitution on January 1, 2015.
*Texts of Questions, Abstracts, and Resolutions reprinted from the NYS Board of Election website.
For additions or corrections, please contact Talia Werber at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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In 2014, there are a total of 244 state legislature, state executive, and Congressional seats up for election in New York: 150 NYS Assembly + 63 NYS Senate + 27 NY US House of Representatives + 4 state-wides.
In many of these contests, incumbents will run unopposed or face an opponent with low levels of institutional support.
Gotham Gazette's Races to Watch list is comprised of contests affecting NYC districts, and in which either: incumbents face competition within their own parties in the primary election; incumbents face strong challengers from another party in the general election; or candidates are campaigning for an unoccupied seat, left unoccupied by legislators who won elections for other offices or who had to vacate upon legal conviction.
Currently: Michael Grimm Staten Island, Bay Ridge, Fort Hamilton, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Dyker Heights |
Currently: Martin Golden Bensonhurst, Manhattan Beach, Gerritsen Beach |
For additions or corrections, please contact Talia Werber at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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In 2014, there are a total of 244 state legislature, state executive, and Congressional seats up for election in New York: 150 NYS Assembly + 63 NYS Senate + 27 NY US House of Representatives + 4 state-wides.
In many of these contests, incumbents will run unopposed or face an opponent with low levels of institutional support.
Gotham Gazette's Primary Election Races to Watch were comprised of contests affecting NYC districts, and in which either: incumbents face competition within their own parties in the primary election; incumbents face strong challengers from another party in the general election; or candidates are campaigning for an unoccupied seat, left unoccupied by legislators who won elections for other offices or who had to vacate upon legal conviction.
To view the list of all candidates who ran for office during primary season, visit our Primary NYC Candidates List.
Currently: Michael Grimm Staten Island, Bay Ridge, Fort Hamilton, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Dyker Heights |
Currently: Charlie Rangel Harlem, East Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill, Kingsbridge Heights, Norwood, Bedford Park |
For additions or corrections, please contact Talia Werber at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled his long-awaited housing plan yesterday that will commit $8.2 billion in city funds to a 10-year affordability initiative. Developers in rezoned districts across the city will be required to include housing units for low and middle income tenants. The entire plan will draw federal, state and city funds to create 80,000 affordable housing units while maintaining 120,000 more and is expected to cost $41 billion. The crux of De Blasio’s plan is to allow developers to build taller buildings in exchange for including more affordable apartments but it isn’t clear how far the administration will go to ensure developers include the units. De Blasio touted the plan as the most ambitious affordable housing plan the country has seen and as a key piece of his quest to reduce inequality.
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The Resiliency of De Blasio's Affordable Housing Plan
A close look at what Mayor de Blasio's affordable housing plan includes on sustainability and the threat of future storms.
ICYMI from Gotham Gazette
Debate Over Historic Rent Freeze Heats Up
The rent guidelines board has sway over the rents of about one million New York City apartments that house about two million tenants. Find out who is on the board and how its process works.
This Week in New York Politics
Our guide of what to look for this week in New York City and in Albany.
Other Stories We're Following
Tivoli Towers Residents Resist Orders to Move to Smaller Apartments (DNAinfo)
Scuffle Over Scaffold Law Continues (Times Union)
Charter Critics Switch Focus to Transparency (Capital)
Who Could Replace Duffy As Lieutenant Governor? (Capital)
Majority of City Unions Vote to Support Health Care Proposal (WSJ)
Federal Prosecutors Subpoena Moreland Members' Communications (NY Times)
St. Luke's Preschool Set to Close (DNAinfo)
SUNY Ends Negotiations With Top LICH Bidder (Crain's)
Tenants Could See Rent Freeze After Vote (Daily News)
State Senate Democrats Push Ethics Package (Daily News)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority expects service to return to normal today after an F Train derailed in Queens on Friday. A break was found in a newly installed track around the 65th Street Station in Woodside, Queens. The derailment that occurred at 10:30 a.m. on Fridaywas the worst for the New York City subway system in more than two decades. The MTA has sent the track for metallurgical testing to determine if there was a flaw with the metal that caused the break or if there was a problem with the installation. The new track that broke is dated 2013. Ten people remain hospitalized since the accident - four of them have life-threatening injuries.
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The Week Ahead in New York Politics, May 4
See what is happening politically this week in New York City and Albany via our weekly preview of the week ahead. This week's highlights include two key announcements by the mayor, several important city council hearings, the Working Families Party gala and more!
Other Stories We're Following
Retail Union Set to Endorse Espaillat (Daily News)
Advocates Look to Reform Solitary Confinement (Times Union)
Koppell Expected to Announce Bid to Oust Klein (Crain's)
De Blasio Expected to Unveil Housing Plan (Staten Island Advance)
Cuomo Pledging to Run Against Senate Coalition If Agenda Not Accomplished (WSJ)
Queens Democrats Want John Liu to Challenge Tony Avella (Daily News)
Legislator Who Backs Dorm For Legislators Spends Big on Travel (NY Post)
Top State Judges Get Tax-Payer Funded Perks (Times Union)
Second Trial For Former Senate Majority Leader (Times Union)
Parking Lots Replaced by Residential Towers (Crain's)
Lilly Ledbetter to Join City Workers For Equal Pay Rally (Capital)
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Union Healthcare: A Missed Opportunity?
Kristen Meriwether explores the healthcare benefits element of the City's contract with the UFT and the question of having union members pay a portion of their premiums.
Tish James on Social Justice and Women in Politics: A Video Interview with Gotham Gazette
Watch Public Advocate James discuss her staff and budget, her approach to social issues, and her investment in encouraging other women to pursue paths in politics in the third and fourth segments of our video interview.
Philosophers or Bullies?
An op-ed by Alliance for Quality Education head Billy Easton criticizes Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the ed reform movement that he has seemingly embraced.
The de Blasio Administration and the city's main teachers union, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), are close to finalizing contract negotiations, those close to the talks say. It is likely to be a nine-year contract that includes the 4 percent raises for 2009 and 2010 that other municipal unions received and the UFT sought from the Bloomberg Administration. Raises would average 1.5 percent to 2 percent per year going ahead, much like the 11 percent raise over six years that subway and bus workers received earlier this year. The deal also may include substantial savings for the City on health coverage, with union members beginning to pay a portion of their premiums. There are likely to be changes to the teacher evaluation tool, whereby teachers are rated by a smaller number of factors than they are currently, and teachers could have more opportunities to make additional pay. The deal is also rumored to include a controversial proposal to encourage principals to take on teachers from the “absent teacher reserve.” It's been nearly five years since the UFT, with 75,000 teachers and 19,000 classroom paraprofessionals, contract expired. The impending deal will probably set a pattern for the roughly 150 other municipal unions, though the health savings could prove a stumbling block, as leaders of the city's uniformed unions are said to be opposed to the measure.
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Public Advocate Speak: Tish James Video Interview with Gotham Gazette
We recently spoke with James about policy issues she has taken up in her first few months as public advocate and how she has structured her office.
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The City Council Moves Forward On Reform
Kristen Meriwether examines the proposed changes to member item allocation.
Part 2: Resiliency Planning Post-Sandy: An Interview with Daniel Zarrilli
Gotham Gazette interviews the city's new director of the Office of Recovery and Resiliency
Part 1: Resiliency Planning Post-Sandy: An Interview with Daniel Zarrilli
Other Stories We're Following
Federal Prosecutors Subpoena State Ethics Enforcement Agency (WSJ)
Top State Judge Tightens Rules on Debt Collection (NY Times)
Most of City Receives Failing Grade in Air Quality Report (CBS News)
Test Prep Endures in City Schools, Despite Calls to Ease It (NY Times)
‘Denser City’: A Preview of de Blasio’s Affordable Housing Plan (Capital)
City Charters Get Record Number of Applicants (WSJ)
What Happened to New York’s Marijuana Initiative? (Capital)
Senate Approves More Speed Enforcement Cameras for City (Daily News)
30-Cent Surcharge OKed for Wheelchair-Accessible Cabs (Daily News)
Report on Workplace Injury Legislation Heightens Acrimony (Times Union)
>Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito unveiled proposals yesterday to make the distribution of member items more equitable and to reform the bill-drafting process. Under the plan, council members would receive an equal amount of member item money, also called discretionary funds, though districts with high poverty rates could get an extra 25 percent in funding. Mark-Viverito would still control a large amount of council money called the "Speaker's List" that she would be free spread around. The former speaker, Christine Quinn, was criticized for using the discretionary funds as a way to punish council members. Last year, some council member barely received just above the minimum of $340,464 while others took in over $1 million of the total $34,173,872, according to Citizen's Union. Mayor Bill de Blasio and advocates have called for member items to be abolished altogether, but praised the proposal as progress nonetheless. Under the rules changes committee chairs would also be able to hold a hearing on any bill that has the support of two-thirds of the council members. And a unit would be created to draft bills requested by members, not just leadership. A council hearing on the proposals is scheduled for May 7.
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The City Council Moves Forward On Reform
Kristen Meriwether examines the proposed changes to member item allocation.
Part 2: Resiliency Planning Post-Sandy: An Interview with Daniel Zarrilli
Gotham Gazette interviews the city's new director of the Office of Recovery and Resiliency
Part 1: Resiliency Planning Post-Sandy: An Interview with Daniel Zarrilli
Restoring Sanity to Student Promotion Decisions
An op-ed by Norm Fruchter, senior research at the Annenberg Institute and mayoral appointee to the Panel for Education Policy
Other Stories We're Following
Nearly Half of New Yorkers Struggling to Get By: Study (NY Times)
With Limits Gone, GOP Lawyer Launches Super PAC (Crain's)
Up in Years and All but Priced Out of New York (NY Times)
Dinapoli Introduces Bill to Curb Contractor Conflicts (Times Union)
Unions Urge Judge to Nix Law on Profiling Claims (AP)
Scaled Back Plans for Muslim Center Near Ground Zero (NY Times)
Unions Offer Pay Cuts for Jobs in Affordable-Housing Plan (NY Post)
Effort to Save LICH Looks Like ‘Fantasyland’: Source (Daily News)
New York Air Quality Better, Still Uneven (Capital)
State Bills Target Heroin-Related Issues (Times Union)
Rent-Stabilized Apartments Being Occupied by Millionaires (DNAinfo)
>New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito is poised to unveil an overhaul of the Council's internal rules that would see her power significantly diminished. Under the changes, Mark-Viverito would give up control over how much discretionary funding each council member receives to spend in their districts. Former council speaker Christine Quinn was often criticized for using her control of so-called 'member items' to punish council members who didn’t vote in lock step with her. Member items will now be distributed nearly equally among the council members, with some increases to districts deemed the neediest. Mayor Bill de Blasio has advocated for doing away with member items completely, but Mark-Viverito’s proposal does not go that far. The Council generally gives out about $50 million in member items each year. Other rules changes would increase the power of committee chairs and increase transparency. A hearing on the rules is set for May 7.
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Recovery and Resiliency Post-Sandy: An Interview with Daniel Zarrilli, Part 1
An in-depth interview on the de Blasio administration's Sandy recovery and resiliency plans with the new director of the Office of Recovery and Resiliency.
ICYMI from Gotham Gazette
The Week Ahead in New York Politics
Our weekly outline of what to look for in New York City and Albany during the week at hand.
Other Stories We're Following
Moreland Commission Adviser Criticizes Cuomo (Newsday)
Assembly Passes Bill to Add 140 Speed Cameras (Daily News)
Disparate Forces Align Over Affordable Rents (NY Times)
CityTime Contractors Sentenced to 20 Years (NY Times)
Council to Hold Hearing on Charter School Management (NY Post)
Grimm Becomes Underdog in Congressional Seat Race After Indictment(Daily News)
Tech Industry Booming in NYC (Daily News)
Stringer to Order Bloomberg Terminals (Capital)
Why New York's Health Exchanges Worked (Capital)
MTA Hopes to Have South Ferry Service Back by Late 2016 (NY1)
Council Bill to Re-Ignite Crane Operator War (Crain's)
Probe Seeks Views of De Blasio Aide (WSJ)
More Funds for Bus Timers and School Technology Slated For Upper East Side (DNAinfo)
Rep. Michael Grimm is expected to turn himself over to the FBI today, in relation to pending charges over a business deal he made before he was elected to Congress, when he ran a health food store. The exact charges have not been revealed, but Grimm’s lawyer confirmed for reporters that he expects charges to be handed down. Grimm is the only Republican member of Congress who represents New York City. He faces a tough re-election campaign this year against former Democratic Councilman Dominic Recchia. Republicans will likely be unable to remove Grimm’s name from the ballot, making it difficult to run a replacement candidate should Grimm’s legal troubles keep him out of the campaign.
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Week Ahead in New York Politics, April 27
Our weekly Sunday evening preview of what to look for in New York City and Albany includes key issues, events, hearings, and more. Get prepared for the week ahead!
Other Stories We're Following
Oil and Gas Industry Ready to Spend Millions to Back Cuomo Challenger (NY Post)
NYPD Plans to Expand Social Media Efforts (NY Times)
City, Teachers Union Eye Deal That Could Include Back Pay (Daily News)
De Blasio to Unveil Affordable Housing Plan (Daily News)
Two Federal Prosecutors in New York to Step Down (WSJ)
Federal Sandy Help Drying Up (WSJ)
Leroy Comrie to Challenge Senator Malcolm Smith in Primary (NY 1)
The Odd Math Behind The LICH Bidding Process (Capital)
City Council Reaches Deal on Domino Factory Redevelopment (DNAinfo)
Cuomo Says Unions Killed Public Funding of Campaigns (Crain's)
FBI Investigating Threats Over Carriage Horse Ban (Daily News)
A federal district judge reluctantly overturned New York's $150,000 limit on donations to super PACs yesterday. Individuals can now give unlimited amounts to the independent-expenditure groups, which are not allowed to directly coordinate with a candidate. U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty said that the donation limit violated the First Amendment, based on the Supreme Court's recent decision in McCutcheon v. Federal Elections Commission, which reinforced its Citizens United ruling. Additionally, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled the state limit was probably unconstitutional.
The suit was brought by supporters of Republican mayoral candidate Joe Lhota during the race last year, who had won the temporary right to make unlimited contributions for the election, over Judge Crotty's opposition. Good government groups say the limit has been ignored in practice for some time now.
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Industrial Challenges As City Looks To Scale Navy Yard Model
Kristen Meriwether reports on the challenges the City has to replicate the Navy Yard model, some due to EDC policy.
Legislature Closing In On Medical Marijuana Deal
David King reports that there is a deal afoot for an amended medical marijuana bill that could pass both legislative houses.
De Blasio's Next Move On Charters
An op-ed by Professor David Bloomfield
Other Stories We're Following
Labor Pact Would Shift MTA Funds (WSJ)
Cuomo on Moreland Tampering: It's My Commission (Crain's)
City Settles $55,000 Suit Over Occupy Protest Beating (NY Post)
After Blast, East Harlem Tenants Worry About Dust (NY Times)
FBI Probing if Quinn Was Extorted Over Carriage Horse Ban (Daily News)
Domino Site Deal Reached (WSJ)
Pre-K Applications Up by More Than a Third, City Says (DNAinfo)
NJ Transit Should Take Over the PATH Train: Report (WNYC)
Plan Brings Relief to Flood-Prone Fresh Meadows (Daily News)
Cuomo: State Making $1 Billion Investment in Solar Power (AP)
De Blasio Names New Rent Guidelines Board Chair (Crain's)
Last of 62 East Harlem Gang Members Plead Guilty (DNAinfo)
Twenty-Two Companies Apply to Open Four Casinos (NY Times)
De Blasio Talks Land-Use in ‘Constructive’ Council Session (Capital)