Election 2021: 3 of 5 State Propositions Voted Down

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — There were five statewide propositions on the back of the ballot in 2021, and the New York voters who turned theirs over didn't like the three having to do with elections.

The state propositions covered five changes to New York's constitution, according to Patch news partner The City: the future of political representation in Albany, environmental protections, easier voter registration and absentee balloting, and how New York City's civil courts function.

"The first ballot proposal is really several questions rolled into one, all on the subject of redistricting," reporters for The City wrote.

With almost all election districts reporting statewide, voters who turned over their ballot disliked Proposition One, with 47.25 percent reported voting "no" to 38.89 percent voting yes as of midnight. This proposed constitutional amendment would freeze the number of state senators at 63, amend the process for the counting of the state's population, delete certain provisions that violate the United States Constitution, repeal and amend certain requirements for the appointment of the co-executive directors of the redistricting commission and amend the manner of drawing district lines for congressional and state legislative offices.

Proposition Two, on the other hand, was widely favored, with 60.90 percent of voters saying "yes." The proposed amendment to Article I of the New York Constitution to establish the right of each person to clean air and water and a healthful environment was passed by voters.

“New Yorkers have spoken very clearly on making clean air and clean water a legal right. In these otherwise polarizing times, a healthy environment, breathing clear air and drinking clean water are values that bring people together," said Peter Iwanowicz, Executive Director at Environmental Advocates NY and leader in the ‘Vote YES for Clean Air and Water’ coalition.

Proposition Three was rejected by 49.99 percent of voters as of midnight, and only 38.18 percent answered "yes." Section 5 of Article II of the New York Constitution now requires that a citizen be registered to vote at least 10 days before an election. The proposed amendment would delete that requirement. If this amendment is adopted, the Legislature will be authorized to enact laws permitting a citizen to register to vote less than 10 days before the election.

Proposition Four got "no" votes from 48.88 percent of voters with 38.96 percent voting "yes." This would eliminate the requirement that a voter provide a reason for voting by absentee ballot. The proposed amendment would do so by deleting the requirement currently in the Constitution that restricts absentee voting to people under one of two specific circumstances: (1) those who expect to be absent from the county of their residence, or from New York City for residents of that city, on Election Day, and (2) those who are unable to appear at their polling place because of illness or physical disability.

On the other hand, Proposition Five apparently passed. The proposed amendment would increase the New York City Civil Court's jurisdiction by allowing it to hear and decide claims for up to $50,000 instead of the current jurisdictional limit of $25,000. 53.66 percent of votes were "yes" and 30.70 percent were "no."

Learn more about the state propositions here: What The Five Ballot Proposal Questions Mean For New Yorkers This November