Connecticut Votes: Amendments To Constitution Pass

The Constitution of the State of Connecticut is the basic governing document of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It has been amended 31-34 times since its approval in 1965, replacing the earlier constitution of 1818. The Connecticut Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a constitutional convention. A constitutional amendment can be referred to the ballot after one or two legislative sessions, depending on the vote count. When an amendment receives a 75% vote in both legislative chambers, it goes on the ballot. Alternatively, a proposed amendment that passes by a simple majority in both chambers in two successive legislative sessions may also be submitted for ratification. The most recent amendment to the Connecticut Constitution was approved by voters on November 5, 2024, concerning no-excuse absentee voting.

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Absentee voting amendment

The Connecticut Constitution has been amended 31 to 34 times since its inception in 1965. The most recent amendment was passed on November 5, 2024, when voters approved the Connecticut No-Excuse Absentee Voting Amendment.

The Connecticut Constitution provides the framework for the state's governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. It is the fundamental document that outlines how the state operates and how its government functions.

The No-Excuse Absentee Voting Amendment allows voters to cast their ballots by absentee ballot without providing a reason or excuse for their absence. This amendment expands voting access and flexibility for Connecticut residents, making it more convenient for people to participate in elections.

Prior to this amendment, the Connecticut Constitution already provided some provisions for absentee voting. Article XXXIX of the original constitution granted the General Assembly the authority to enable qualified voters who were absent from their town or city of residence during an election to cast their votes by absentee ballot. This provision also included those who were unable to physically appear at the polling places due to sickness or disability.

The process of amending the Connecticut Constitution typically involves the General Assembly. A joint resolution proposing an amendment must pass each house of the General Assembly with a majority or three-fourths majority vote, depending on the specific rules. Once an amendment proposal passes in the General Assembly, it is then submitted to the voters during the next even-numbered year's general election. In some cases, an amendment may need to pass during two successive legislative sessions before being placed on the ballot.

Ratification process

The Connecticut Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. The legislative process involves two steps. First, the legislature must pass a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment. This requires a 3/4 majority vote in both legislative chambers (a minimum of 114 votes in the Connecticut House of Representatives and 27 votes in the Connecticut State Senate). Once this is achieved, the amendment is submitted to the ballot for the next election. Alternatively, an amendment can pass with a simple majority in both chambers across two successive legislative sessions. This amounts to a minimum of 76 votes in the House of Representatives and 19 votes in the State Senate. In either case, amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

The second mechanism for amending the constitution is through a state constitutional convention. A question about whether to hold such a convention automatically appears on the state's ballot every 20 years, starting in 1978. The legislature can also refer this question to the ballot. On October 1, 1901, Connecticut residents voted in favor of calling a constitutional convention to revise the constitution. A convention was held, and a revised constitution was proposed. However, on June 16, 1902, residents rejected the revised constitution.

The current Connecticut Constitution was approved by voters on December 14, 1965, and was adopted on December 30, 1965. It has since been amended 34 times. The most recent amendment was approved by voters on November 5, 2024, and deals with no-excuse absentee voting.

Calling a convention

The Connecticut Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a convention. The legislative process involves the General Assembly, which may propose alterations and amendments to the constitution. If two-thirds of each house approve the amendments, they are transmitted to the town clerk in each town for consideration by the inhabitants. If a majority of electors approve, the amendments become valid and part of the constitution.

Alternatively, a convention can be called to amend the constitution. There are two ways to call a convention:

• When called for by a two-thirds vote of each house of the General Assembly, provided at least 10 years have passed since the last convention.
• When approved by a majority vote of the electorate, at least 20 years after the last convention, in response to the question, "Shall there be a Constitutional Convention to amend or revise the Constitution of the State?"

The General Assembly decides the method for selecting convention delegates and the date of the convention. Proposed amendments or revisions must be submitted to the electors within two months of the convention's final adjournment. If a majority of voters approve the proposal, it becomes part of the constitution, taking effect 30 days after the vote.

The Connecticut Constitution has been amended 31 times, with the most recent amendment approved by voters on November 5, 2024, concerning no-excuse absentee voting.

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Amendment history

The Connecticut Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution—a legislative or a convention-referred process. The legislative process involves the General Assembly, which may propose alterations and amendments to the constitution. If a majority of the house of representatives deems it necessary to alter or amend the constitution, these proposed changes are continued to the next General Assembly and published with any laws passed during the same session. If two-thirds of each house approves the amendments, the secretary transmits them to the town clerk in each town in the state. The town clerk then presents the proposed amendments to the inhabitants for their consideration at a legally warned town meeting. If a majority of the electors present and voting on the amendments at such meetings approve, the amendments become valid and are added to the constitution.

The convention-referred process involves a constitutional convention being convened. This can occur in two ways. Firstly, when called for by a two-thirds vote of each house of the General Assembly, provided at least 10 years have passed since the last convention. Secondly, when approved by a majority vote of the electorate, to whom the question "Shall there be a Constitutional Convention to amend or revise the Constitution of the State?" is submitted whenever 20 years have passed since the last convention and since the question was last put to voters. The General Assembly decides the method for selecting convention delegates and the date of the convention's convening and adjournment.

The current Connecticut Constitution, approved by referendum and proclaimed by the governor on December 30, 1965, has been amended 31 times (34 times according to another source). Voters last approved a new amendment on November 5, 2024, when they approved the Connecticut No-Excuse Absentee Voting Amendment.

• November 25, 1970: Changed the minimum age for state elected offices to 21, except in cases provided for in the constitution. Also created a requirement for annual, not biennial, general sessions of the legislature.
• December 22, 1972: Established a six-person jury for criminal trials (twelve for capital offenses) and the right of peremptory challenge.
• November 27, 1974: Prohibited sexual discrimination. Also, revised electorship to be a "right," not a "privilege," and removed the position of Justice of the Peace.
• November 24, 1976: Reduced the age requirement for an elector from 21 to 18, and relaxed the residency and reading requirements.
• November 24, 1982: Amended Article Second of the constitution to divide the powers of the government into three distinct departments: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Voter approval

The Connecticut Constitution outlines a state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. The current Connecticut Constitution has been amended 31 to 34 times. The Constitution of the State of Connecticut is the basic governing document of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It was approved by referendum on December 14, 1965, and proclaimed by the governor as adopted on December 30, 1965. This was the state's second constitution since the establishment of the United States.

The Connecticut Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a convention process. The legislative process involves the General Assembly proposing amendments, which must pass with a three-fourths majority in both chambers to be submitted to voters in the next even-numbered year's general election. If the resolution fails to achieve a three-fourths majority in either chamber, it can still be submitted to voters if it passes with a majority in both chambers during the next legislative session.

The convention process involves calling a special convention to propose amendments. This can occur in two ways: when approved by a two-thirds vote of each house in the General Assembly, provided at least 10 years have passed since the last convention; or when approved by a majority vote of the electorate, 20 years after the last convention. The General Assembly decides the method for selecting convention delegates and the date of the convention.

Voters most recently approved an amendment to the Connecticut Constitution on November 5, 2024, regarding no-excuse absentee voting. This amendment allows qualified voters to vote by absentee ballot without providing a reason for their absence. The amendment was approved by a majority of voters and became a part of the state constitution.

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