HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARTER REVISION BALLOT QUESTION

The New York City Charter sets the ground rules of City government. It describes which individuals and agencies have what powers and what they can do with these powers.

The Mayor is authorized to appoint a Charter Revision Commission that can review the City Charter and place proposals for revision of the Charter on the ballot for consideration by the voters. On June 15, 1999, Mayor Giuliani appointed a 15-member Commission. The Commission held public meetings and hearings in July and August.

The Commission examined more than 100 proposals and analyzed over 40 issues for possible changes in the New York City Charter. After holding several public hearings, it reduced the number of issues under consideration to 14. On September 1, 1999, the Commission voted to place a single question on the November 2, 1999 general election ballot covering these 14 issues. These changes will become law only if the Commission proposal is approved by the voters.

On September 2, 1999, the Commission submitted a single ballot question to the City Clerk outlining seven items for the voters to decide. This list of seven items includes all 14 of the proposed changes the Commission voted to put before the voters; it combines issues that are related as single bullet points in the text of the official question. If the majority of voters votes “Yes,” then all 14 of the Commission’s changes will become law, and the Charter will be revised accordingly. If the majority of voters votes “No,” then none of the 14 changes will become law, and the Charter will not be revised.

Remember that you cannot vote on these issues individually. You can only vote “Yes” or “No” on the entire set of changes proposed by the Charter Revision Commission.

For further information, or for a copy of the full report of the Charter Revision Commission, visit the Commission’s Web site at WWW. CI.NYC.NY.US/ CHARTER, or call the Commission at (212) 487-6551.

Introduction
Official Text
Official Summary
History and Description
Highlights of the Major Arguments
Pro and Con Statements Received from the Public
New York State Ballot Proposal