Ballot Proposals

Proposed changes to NY's laws and constitution — explained in plain English

2026 proposals added — certification pending

The five NYC proposals for the November 3, 2026 ballot were adopted by the Commission on Government Efficiency on July 23, 2026. Official certification has not yet been confirmed, and no 2026 statewide proposals have been identified. The six proposals from the November 4, 2025 ballot are shown below for reference.

Showing 11 of 11 proposals

Proposal 1
NYC OnlyUpcomingNovember 3, 2026

Faster Permits to Use Public Space

Simplify process to use public space for uses such as ramps, planters, and cafes, by removing mandatory hearings and Council disapproval of sidewalk cafes, while maintaining community and Council input.

BusinessesNYC ResidentsLocal Government

This NYC charter amendment would speed up the process for getting the city's permission (called a "revocable consent") to put things like ramps, planters, benches, and outdoor cafes on public sidewalks and streets.

Adopted by the Commission on Government Efficiency on July 23, 2026. Official certification for the ballot has not yet been confirmed — check vote.nyc for the final ballot.

Proposal 2
NYC OnlyUpcomingNovember 3, 2026

Less Paperwork for City Contractors

Reduce paperwork for City's contractors by authorizing Procurement Policy Board to simplify contractor questionnaire. Require quarterly meetings of the Procurement Policy Board. Remove mandatory hearing for required client services report.

BusinessesTaxpayersLocal Government

This NYC charter amendment aims to make it easier to do business with the city by letting the Procurement Policy Board simplify the questionnaire contractors must fill out, requiring that board to meet every quarter, and removing a mandatory hearing on a client services report.

Adopted by the Commission on Government Efficiency on July 23, 2026. Official certification for the ballot has not yet been confirmed — check vote.nyc for the final ballot.

Proposal 3
NYC OnlyUpcomingNovember 3, 2026

Faster Street Safety Projects, Property Sales, and Office Leases

Simplify review of street safety projects to reduce construction timelines. Fast track disposition of unused City property with approval from City Planning Commission. Expedite leasing offices used for City workforce.

NYC ResidentsTaxpayersLocal Government

This three-part NYC charter amendment would speed up street safety projects such as bike and bus lanes, fast-track the sale or transfer of unused city-owned property, and make it quicker for the city to lease office space for its workers.

Adopted by the Commission on Government Efficiency on July 23, 2026. Official certification for the ballot has not yet been confirmed — check vote.nyc for the final ballot.

Proposal 4
NYC OnlyUpcomingNovember 3, 2026

Simpler Building Permits

Create centralized construction permits hub to simplify permitting. Move waterfront permitting from Department of Small Business Services to Department of Buildings. Allow construction approval by additional Department of Buildings officials.

DevelopersHomeownersBusinessesNYC Residents

This NYC charter amendment would create a single central hub for construction permits, move waterfront construction permitting to the Department of Buildings, and allow more Department of Buildings officials to approve construction.

Adopted by the Commission on Government Efficiency on July 23, 2026. Official certification for the ballot has not yet been confirmed — check vote.nyc for the final ballot.

Proposal 5
NYC OnlyUpcomingNovember 3, 2026

Rainy Day Fund Savings Targets

Set target amount of money to hold in reserve funds, including rainy day fund, to address unexpected financial hardships in future years, and require development of methodology to calculate contributions.

TaxpayersNYC ResidentsLocal Government

This NYC charter amendment would set a target for how much money the city keeps in reserve — including its rainy day fund — to prepare for future emergencies and economic downturns.

Adopted by the Commission on Government Efficiency on July 23, 2026. Official certification for the ballot has not yet been confirmed — check vote.nyc for the final ballot.

2025 Ballot Proposals

Proposal 1
StatewidePassedNovember 4, 2025

Adirondack Land Swap for Olympic Venue

Amendment to Allow Land Swap Involving State Forest Preserve Land at Mount Van Hoevenberg

Upstate ResidentsTaxpayersLocal Government

This constitutional amendment authorized a one-time land swap that allows the state to exchange a small parcel of protected Adirondack Forest Preserve land for privately held land of equal or greater value and environmental quality. The swap was needed to allow upgrades to the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic sports complex in Lake Placid in preparation for potential future Olympic events. The swapped land stays fully protected — only its official classification changes.

Passed

Passed statewide. Official certified results available at elections.ny.gov.

Proposal 2
NYC OnlyPassedNovember 4, 2025

Expedited Environmental Review for Affordable Housing

City Charter Amendment to Streamline Environmental Review for Affordable Housing Projects

RentersNYC ResidentsDevelopersUnion Workers

This NYC charter amendment created a faster environmental review track for affordable housing projects. Under existing law, many housing developments — even those that are overwhelmingly affordable — must go through the same lengthy environmental review as large commercial projects. This amendment allowed qualifying affordable housing projects to use a simplified, faster process, cutting months off the timeline from proposal to groundbreaking.

Passed

Passed citywide. Official certified results available at vote.nyc.

Proposal 3
NYC OnlyPassedNovember 4, 2025

90-Day Accelerated Land Use Review

City Charter Amendment to Create Expedited 90-Day Land Use Review Process for Qualifying Affordable Housing

RentersNYC ResidentsDevelopersUnion WorkersLocal Government

This charter amendment created an optional 90-day land use review process for affordable housing projects that meet specific criteria. The standard Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) can take 7–12 months or longer. Under this amendment, projects that are majority permanently affordable can elect to use the faster 90-day track, with streamlined community board, borough president, City Planning Commission, and City Council review steps.

Passed

Passed citywide. Official certified results available at vote.nyc.

Proposal 4
NYC OnlyPassedNovember 4, 2025

Affordable Housing Appeals Board

City Charter Amendment to Establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board

RentersNYC ResidentsDevelopersLocal Government

This charter amendment created a new Affordable Housing Appeals Board with the authority to override local denials of qualifying affordable housing projects. If a project meeting the affordability criteria is rejected by a community board, borough president, or City Planning Commission, the developer can appeal to this new board, which can approve the project over local objections. The board is designed to prevent individual communities from blocking housing that the city as a whole needs.

Passed

Passed citywide. Official certified results available at vote.nyc.

Proposal 5
NYC OnlyPassedNovember 4, 2025

Digitize the Official City Map

City Charter Amendment to Allow the City Map to Be Maintained in Digital Form

NYC ResidentsLocal GovernmentDevelopers

This technical charter amendment modernized how New York City maintains its official city map — the legal document that defines all streets, parks, and public spaces in the five boroughs. Under existing law, the official map must be maintained as a physical document. This amendment authorized the city to maintain it digitally, making it more accessible, easier to update, and cheaper to administer.

Passed

Passed citywide with broad support. Official certified results available at vote.nyc.

Proposal 6
NYC OnlyFailedNovember 4, 2025

Move NYC Local Elections to Even Years

City Charter Amendment to Move Mayoral and City Council Elections to Even-Numbered Years Aligned with Presidential Elections

NYC ResidentsLocal GovernmentUnion Workers

This charter amendment would have moved New York City's local elections — for mayor, city council, comptroller, public advocate, and borough presidents — from odd-numbered years (2021, 2025, 2029) to even-numbered years aligned with presidential elections (2024, 2028). Supporters argued it would dramatically increase voter turnout. Opponents argued it would drown local candidates in national politics, reduce local accountability, and harm community engagement. Voters rejected it.

Failed

Failed citywide. Opposed by a majority of voters across the five boroughs.

Proposal data sourced from vote.nyc and elections.ny.gov. Always verify with official sources.