University of Wisconsin Center for the Study of the American Constitution, New York Ratifies the Constitution, 26 July 1788

This map reflects how controversial ratification of the Constitution was in New York. Antifederalists outnumbered Federalists at the New York ratifying convention by more than two to one. By the time they met, they knew that eight states had already adopted the Constitution. Delegates voted to debate the document by paragraphs, an approach that the Federalists favored because it would delay a vote, and they hoped that in the meantime they would receive word that either New Hampshire or Virginia, whose ratifying conventions were also meeting, had already supplied the requisite ninth vote for ratification. Indeed, the the New York Convention learned on June 24 that New Hampshire had ratified, and on July 2 that Virginia had ratified. This made ratification in New York all but inevitable. Still, the delegation proceeded over several weeks to hash out the exact manner in which they would adopt the Constitution. On July 26 the Convention voted 30 to 27 to ratify the Constitution, but with a declaration of rights and recommendary amendments, making New York the eleventh state to join the union.