The leaves are turning, local farmers’ markets are filled to the brim with apples and cider donuts and kids are gearing up for Halloween. Fall is officially here, which means that Election Day (Nov. 2) is just around the corner.

In addition to selecting candidates to fill various local offices, voters this year will have the opportunity to vote on four constitutional amendments that could affect the state as a whole, as well as an additional constitutional amendment directly affecting New York City.

If approved, the amendments would:

• update the legislative redistricting process;
• allow all voters to request an absentee ballot if they desire one;
• allow for same-day voter registration;
• add a right to clean air and water and a healthful environment to the state constitution; and
• increase the jurisdictional limit of the NYC Civil Court from $25,000 to $50,000.

The update to the redistricting process would include a change to New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission by modifying the thresholds needed for the Redistricting Commission and Legislature to approve a redistricting plan from a two-thirds vote to a majority, and in some circumstances, a 60% vote (A.1916 of 2021). The thresholds would no longer vary depending on whether the Senate and the Assembly are controlled by the same or different political party and a map could only be approved with an affirmative vote of at least one commissioner from both parties. Additionally, the reform would require the state to perform its own census if the federal census does not show the total population of the state, including non-citizens and Native Americans, as well as count incarcerated individuals at their last place of residence, rather than where they are incarcerated, for congressional districts. Finally, the constitutional amendment would cap the number of Senate seats at the present 63.

Two of the other constitutional amendments on the ballot are directly related to the voting process. One would allow any eligible voter to request an absentee ballot and vote by mail without a declared reason (A.4431 of 2021). Under current law, voters are allowed to vote by absentee ballot only if they will be absent from the county on Election Day or have an illness or disability. The other would allow for same-day voter registration, eliminating the requirement that New Yorkers register to vote 10 days before an election (A.502 of 2021).

Voters will also decide two other amendments: one that would add the right to clean air, water and a healthful environment to the state Constitution’s Bill of Rights, and another that would allow the New York City Civil Court to hear and decide claims up to $50,000, instead of the current $25,000 limit (A.1368; A.3109).

Constituents should familiarize themselves with these proposals so they can make an informed decision at the ballot box.

In addition to in-person voting on Election Day, qualified voters may vote by absentee ballot or via early, in-person voting from Oct. 23 to Oct. 31. For more information on requesting an absentee ballot, visit www.ongov.net/elections/absentee.html. For more information regarding early voting sites, visit http://www.ongov.net/elections/early-voting.html.