New Yorkers face a once-in-two-decades question on Election Day on whether to begin the process of overhauling the state’s constitution.
A ballot proposition on Tuesday would, if approved by voters, set the process in motion for a constitutional convention to be held in 2019.
State law requires the question of a constitutional convention be put to voters at least once every 20 years and it has become one of the most contentious issues on the ballot.
A collection of advocacy groups, including the League of Women Voters and the New York State Bar Association, are arguing that a convention offers the best chance to enact reforms that have long stalled in the Legislature, including tighter campaign finance limits and stricter government ethics laws.
“It’s mostly a case of frustration,” said Laura Bierman, executive director of the league, which hopes a convention can pave the way toward, among other things, early voting and automatic voter registration.
Other convention supporters cite issues ranging from the need to streamline the court system to marijuana legalization.
Most of the state’s unions and environmental advocates are opposed, arguing that it would give business interests and other well-financed groups an avenue to weaken existing labor and environmental protections.
Other convention opponents, including state Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long, argue it would waste taxpayer money. State Controller Thomas DiNapoli has estimated it would cost at least $50 million.
Gov. Cuomo has said he supports the concept but suspects any convention would be controlled by the same influences that currently rule in Albany.
If voters vote “yes” on Election Day, an election would be held next year to select delegates and a convention would be convened in 2019.
The constitutional convention is one of three ballot propositions on the back of ballots Tuesday.
One proposition will amend the state constitution to allow politicians convicted of corruption charges to be stripped of their pensions. The measure was approved by the Legislature in response to wave of corruption arrests in Albany, including those of ex-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) and former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Nassau County).
Another proposition would ease the forever wild restrictions in Adirondack Forest Preserve by creating a land bank, which supporters argue would make it easier for municipalities in the region to make much-needed road repairs and other infrastructure improvements.
