New York 2021 ballot measures

New York 2021 Ballot Measures
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2021 U.S. state ballot measures
2022 » « 2020
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In 2021, five statewide ballot measures were on the ballot in New York on November 2. The five ballot measure were constitutional amendments. Voters approved two and rejected three of the ballot measures.

HIGHLIGHTS

On November 2, voters defeated three constitutional amendments related to elections and voting—Proposal 1, on redistricting; Proposal 3, on same-day voter registration; and Proposal 4, on no-excuse absentee voting.

Proposal 2 was approved, adding a right to clean water, clean air, and a healthful environment to the New York Constitution's Bill of Rights.

On the ballot

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRCA	Proposal 1	Redistricting	Makes changes to the redistricting process in New York	d
LRCA	Proposal 2	Environment	Creates a state constitutional right to clean air, clean water, and a healthful environment	a
LRCA	Proposal 3	Elections	Authorizes the legislature to pass a law for same-day voter registration	d
LRCA	Proposal 4	Elections	Authorizes the legislature to pass a law for no-excuse absentee voting	d
LRCA	Proposal 5	Judiciary	Increases the NYC Civil Court's jurisdiction from civil cases involving $25,000 to $50,000	a

Getting measures on the ballot

Citizens

In New York, citizens do not have the power to initiate statewide initiatives or referendums. As of 2021, voters of New York had never voted on a ballot measure to authorize a statewide initiative and referendum process.

Legislature

The New York State Legislature can refer statewide ballot measures, in the form of constitutional amendments and bond issues, to the ballot in odd-numbered years and even-numbered years.

New York requires a simple majority vote (50%+1) in each legislative chamber during two successive legislative sessions with a state legislative election in between for constitutional amendments. That amounts to a minimum of 76 votes in the New York State Assembly and 32 votes in the New York State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Section 11 of Article VII of the New York Constitution requires that certain bond issues go before voters for approval or rejection. New York requires a simple majority vote in each legislative chamber and the governor's signature for bond issues to be referred to the ballot.

Historical facts

See also: List of New York ballot measures

Between 1985 and 2020, the following occurred:

• A total of 50 measures appeared on statewide ballots.
• An average of two measures appeared on odd-year ballots.
• The number of measures appearing on statewide ballots ranged from zero to six.
• Voters approved 74 percent (37 of 50) of statewide ballot measures.

New York ballot measures, 1985-2019
Total number	Approved	Percent approved	Defeated	Percent defeated	Odd-year average	Odd-year median	Odd-year minimum	Odd-year maximum
50	37	74.00%	13	26.00%	2.2	2.0	0	6

Local ballot measures

See also: New York 2021 local ballot measures

Click here to read about 2021 local ballot measures in New York.

Not on the ballot

See also: Proposed ballot measures that were not on a ballot

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRCA	Veterans' Civil Service Credits Amendment	Veterans	Removes wartime service requirement for veterans to receive civil service credits

See also

• 2021 ballot measures
• List of New York ballot measures
• New York State Legislature

External links

• New York State Board of Elections