Constitution of the State of New York
1938
New York's current constitution dates to 1938, though the state has had constitutions continuously since 1777, making it among the oldest constitutional traditions in the country. The 1938 document consolidated and modernized earlier versions from 1821, 1846, and 1894, incorporating Progressive Era reforms alongside New Deal-era protections for labor and social welfare. It is one of the longest and most detailed state constitutions in the nation, addressing subjects from the Adirondack Forest Preserve to the rights of workers to organize. Voters periodically consider calling a new constitutional convention, a debate that reflects ongoing tension between reform and stability in New York's political culture.
Preamble
We The People of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our Freedom, in order to secure its blessings, DO ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION.
Article I — Bill of Rights
No member of this state shall be disfranchised, or deprived of any of the rights or privileges secured to any citizen thereof, unless by the law of the land, or the judgment of his or her peers, except that the legislature may provide that there shall be no primary election held to nominate candidates for public office or to elect persons to party positions for any political party or parties in any unit of representation of the state from which such candidates or persons are nominated or elected whenever there is no contest or contests therefor as may be prescribed by law.