Vote YES! on Statewide Ballot Proposal Seven this Election

The Spectator, with Concurrent Resolution of the Senate and Assembly, proposes several amendments to the New York State Constitution; in particular to the following sections: Section 3 of Article 2, Section 10 of Article 3, Section 11 of Article 3, Section 20 of Article 3, Section 23 of Article 3, and Section 2 of Article 11.

Matter in underscored is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted.

Article 2, Section 3: Persons excluded from the right of suffrage

Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That Section 3 of Article 2 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:

• § 3. No person may ever be legally excluded from the right of suffrage by officials of law, regardless of circumstances, personal beliefs, age, or citizenship status. [No person who shall receive, accept, or offer to receive, or pay, offer or promise to pay, contribute, offer or promise to contribute to another, to be paid or used, any money or other valuable thing as a compensation or reward for the giving or withholding a vote at an election, or who shall make any promise to influence the giving or withholding any such vote, or who shall make or become directly or indirectly interested in any bet or wager depending upon the result of any election, shall vote at such election; and upon challenge for such cause, the person so challenged, before the officers authorized for that purpose shall receive his or her vote, shall swear or affirm before such officers that he or she has not received or offered, does not expect to receive, has not paid, offered or promised to pay, contributed, offered or promised to contribute to another, to be paid or used, any money or other valuable thing as a compensation or reward for the giving or withholding a vote at such election, and has not made any promise to influence the giving or withholding of any such vote, nor made or become directly or indirectly interested in any bet or wager depending upon the result of such election. The legislature shall enact laws excluding from the right of suffrage all persons convicted of bribery or of any infamous crime.] (Formerly §2. Renumbered by Constitutional Convention of 1938 and approved by vote of the people November 8, 1938; amended by vote of the people November 6, 2001.)

Abstract:

This proposal amends Article 2, Section 3 which currently restricts the expansion of suffrage, preventing some, such as those who bet on election outcomes, from voting. This contradicts the very basis of our country: a democracy whose history was built on the expansion of the circle of suffrage, from white, property-owning men, to black men, to women, to all citizens above the age of 17. The attempt to counter the fight for suffrage is despicable. This proposal aims to reverse this counter and in fact broaden this circle of suffrage by including people of all ages as well as non-citizens. There is no place for discrimination in our constitution, and the government should stay out of the private business of its citizens, including any electoral betting that may occur, as it is a valid and honest trade in this day and age. If you believe in this proposal’s ability to pass, please mail a dollar coin to 345 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10282 to secure your bet.

Article 3, Section 10: Journals; open sessions; adjournments

• § 10. Each house of the legislature shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and publish the same, [except such parts as may require secrecy]. The doors of each house shall be kept open, [except when the public welfare shall require secrecy]. Neither house shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than two days. (Formerly §11. Renumbered and amended by Constitutional Convention of 1938 and approved by vote of the people November 8, 1938.)

Abstract: 

This proposal amends Article 3, Section 10 that currently allows members of the legislature to keep secret their undertakings and has led to rampant corruption taking place. There should be no secrecy from elected officials in relation to the citizens who elected them. This current wording creates a presumed intellectual divide between elected officials and the general public, almost inferring that the general public does not have the intellectual capacity to handle all matters. We, the public, deserve to know what happens in the running of our government, whether it be in regards to our safety or businesses, or if our Governor has been in the bathroom for 33 minutes during a meeting.

Article 3, Section 11: Members not to be questioned for speeches

• § 11. For any speech or debate in either house of the legislature, the members may [shall not] be questioned in any other place. (Formerly §12. Renumbered by Constitutional Convention of 1938 and approved by vote of the people November 8, 1938.)

Abstract:

This proposal amends Article 3, Section 11 of the New York Constitution. Section 11 currently gives immunity to members of the house for their statements. This allows them to make decisions without regard to public opinion and thought. All members should be held accountable for their actions via cancellation through X (formerly known as Twitter) or in person.

Article 3, Section 20: [Two-thirds bills]

• § 20. The assent of [two-thirds]-1134-x22dx of the members elected to each branch of the legislature shall be requisite to every bill appropriating the public monkeys or property for local or private purposes.

Abstract:

This proposal amends Article 3, Section 20 of the New York Constitution, replacing two-thirds with a mathematical equivalent in order to ensure that the members of the house have the basic arithmetic qualifications to be in office. Reading comprehension, however, may still be optional.

Article 3, Section 23: When yeas and nays necessary; three-fifths to constitute quorum

• § 23. On the final passage, in either house of the legislature, of any act which imposes, continues or revives a tax, or creates a debt or charge, or makes, continues or revives any appropriation of public or trust money or property, or releases, discharges or commutes any claim or demand of the state, the question shall be taken by [yeas] yaurs and [nays] naurs, which shall be duly entered upon the journals, and three-fifths of all the members elected to either house shall, in all such cases, be necessary to constitute a quorum therein. (Formerly §25. Renumbered by Constitutional Convention of 1938 and approved by vote of the people November 8, 1938.)

Abstract:

This proposal amends Article 3, Section 23 of the New York Constitution, to clarify language in accordance with vernacular so that all dwellers of New York may understand the laws and statutes that apply to them, as well as doing away with anachronisms from the colonial period.

Article 11, Section 2: Regents of the University

• §2. The corporation created in the year 1784, under the name of The Regents of the University of the State of New York, is hereby continued under the name of The University of the State of New York. It shall be governed and its corporate powers, which may be increased, modified or diminished by the legislature, shall be exercised by not less than nine regents. The University of the State of New York must hereby express gratitude towards all students and teachers of Stuyvesant High School, Brooklyn Technical High School, and maybe Bronx High School for the Sciences for raising the state average. (Formerly §2 of Art. 9. Renumbered and amended by Constitutional Convention of 1938 and approved by vote of the people November 8, 1938.)

Abstract:

This proposal amends Article 11, Section 2 of the New York Constitution, to give credit where it is due. Without the contributions of these three schools, the New York State readiness levels would be at alarming lows, considering whoever made these amendments must be extremely talented.

Resolved (if the Assembly concurs), That the foregoing amendments be submitted to the people for approval at the general election to be held in the year 2024 in accordance with the provisions of the election law.