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What is the exact text of the oath for New York State Assembly members?
Executive Summary
The oath sworn by New York State Assembly members is the standard New York public officers’ oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of New York, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of [title], according to the best of my ability.” This wording is prescribed by the New York State Constitution, Article XIII, Section 1, and is reflected in state guidance and standard oath forms used for legislators and other public officers [1] [2] [3]. The language allows either “swear” or “affirm” and ties the obligation to both federal and state constitutions, while committing the officer to faithful performance of duties to the best of their ability [1] [2].
1. Why the wording matters and how the constitution sets the rule
The Constitution’s prescription of the oath matters because it creates a uniform legal requirement for all state legislators and public officers, ensuring consistent legal and ceremonial obligations across offices. The sources show the oath is codified in Article XIII, Section 1 of the New York State Constitution and implemented through official forms and statutory references in the Public Officers Law; state agencies publish guidance requiring the oath and signature prior to assuming duties [4] [3]. The exact wording is important for legal validity: courts and administrative processes expect the constitutionally prescribed text or its authorized equivalent, and the inclusion of both the U.S. and New York constitutions reflects dual federal-state allegiance required of state officeholders [1] [3]. The ability to “affirm” rather than “swear” accommodates religious or conscientious objections, which is a standard accommodation in public-oath provisions [2].
2. How official forms and agency guidance back the text
State forms and departmental guidance reproduce the constitutional oath to ensure officials and clerks have a clear, usable template that meets legal standards. The Department of State and other repositories provide the oath text and clarify procedural steps—take and sign the oath before commencing duties—demonstrating that the phrasing in practice mirrors the constitutional language [4] [2]. The linked standard New York Oath of Office (.pdf) explicitly shows the operative sentence structure used for title insertion and name designation, confirming the textual formula that appears in constitutional and statutory references [2]. These administrative documents are designed for ease of use and legal compliance, reducing disputes about whether an officer properly assumed office under the constitutionally mandated oath [4].
3. Where analyses disagree or leave gaps, and why that matters
Some secondary sources and compilations paraphrase the oath or note that the constitution prescribes it without reproducing the exact words, which produces variation in public reporting and potential confusion about precise wording [4] [3]. The analyses provided indicate that while most sources converge on the same text, one summary cautioned that available copies “may not be the most recent version,” highlighting the importance of checking authoritative, current state sources [1]. This matters because legal challenges, ceremonial protocols, and administrative records rely on precise wording; any deviation from the constitutionally prescribed form could trigger procedural questions about the validity of an oath-taking event [3].
4. Multiple viewpoints and potential agendas in source presentation
Official state sources and consolidated-law repositories aim to present the oath as a neutral legal requirement; their agenda is procedural clarity and legal compliance [4] [3]. By contrast, secondary summaries or legal-help sites sometimes prioritize reader accessibility, paraphrasing or abbreviating the oath, which can unintentionally omit precise clauses—this reflects an agenda of simplification rather than legal completeness [1]. Users seeking authoritative text should therefore rely on constitutional or official forms rather than paraphrases. The presence of both verbatim forms and paraphrased summaries in the record demonstrates a tension between legal exactitude and public-facing explanation that can shape public understanding of what officials actually pledge.
5. Bottom line: the exact text and how to confirm it for current use
The exact, routinely cited text used for New York State Assembly members is: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of New York, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of [title], according to the best of my ability.” To confirm the most current authoritative version for any formal proceeding, consult the New York State Constitution (Article XIII, Section 1) and the official oath form published by state agencies or the Department of State, which reproduce the constitutionally prescribed wording and note procedural requirements such as signing before assuming duties [1] [2] [4].