New York voters have a big decision to make this November – whether to vote for or against convening a constitutional convention to examine the New York State Constitution. For many New Yorkers, this will be their first time seeing a constitutional convention question on the ballot; others may remember being asked that question in 1997 because in New York, every 20 years, the voters get to decide if a convention should be held. A yes vote would lead to an election for delegates in 2018 for a convention that would convene in April 2019. The delegates at that convention can debate whether New York’s Constitution—the document that determines the structure of New York State government and the rights of its citizens—should be changed.
This event will focus on the pros and cons of holding a convention and will feature panels of experts in areas including, among other topics, government ethics, LGBTQ rights, education, social welfare, and the judiciary.
Panelists:Barbara Bartoletti, Legislative Director, League of Women Voters of New York StateMichael Cardozo, Partner, Proskauer Rose LLP Dick Dadey, Executive Director, Citizens Union Evan Davis, Senior Counsel, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLPHenry 'Hank' Greenberg, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig LLPHelen Hershkoff, Professor of Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties, NYU School of Law Adriene Holder, Attorney-in Charge, Civil Practice Legal Aid Society of NYCRoberta Kaplan, Partner, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLPArthur 'Jerry' Kremer, Chairman, Empire Government Strategies
This program is part of a pair of events the City Bar is co-sponsoring with John Jay College of the City University of New York. The next event will take place on Tuesday, March 21, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at John Jay College, 524 West 59th Street. The event will feature a reporter roundtable discussion regarding a range of issues and the historical context relevant to holding a constitutional convention in New York.
Sponsoring Association Committee:Task Force on the New York State Constitutional Convention, Margaret A. Dale, Co-Chair and Hon. Michael R. Sonberg, Co-Chair (For more information on the Task Force, click here)
Co-Sponsored by:John Jay College of the City University of New York, Office of External Affairs and Department of Public Management