CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF
PREAMBLE.
The People of
Connecticut acknowledging with gratitude, the good providence of God, in having
permitted them to enjoy a free government; do, in order more effectually to
define, secure, and perpetuate the liberties, rights and privileges which they
have derived from their ancestors; hereby, after a careful consideration and
revision, ordain and establish the following constitution and form of civil
government.
ARTICLE FIRST.
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
That the
great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized
and established,
WE DECLARE:
SEC. 1. All
men when they form a social compact, are equal in rights; and no man or set of
men are entitled to exclusive public emoluments or privileges from the
community.
SEC. 2. All
political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded
on their authority, and instituted for their benefit; and they have at all
times an undeniable and indefeasible right to alter their form of government in
such manner as they may think expedient.
SEC. 3. The
exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without
discrimination, shall forever be free to all persons in the state; provided,
that the right hereby declared and established, shall not be so construed as to
excuse acts of licentiousness, or to justify practices inconsistent with the
peace and safety of the state.
SEC. 4. Every
citizen may freely speak, write and publish his sentiments on all subjects,
being responsible for the abuse of that liberty.
SEC. 5. No law
shall ever be passed to curtail or restrain the liberty of speech or of the
press.
SEC. 6. In
all prosecutions or indictments for libels, the truth may be given in evidence,
and the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the facts, under the
direction of the court.
SEC. 7. The
people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions from
unreasonable searches or seizures; and no warrant to search any place, or to
seize any person or things, shall issue without describing them as nearly as
may be, nor without probable cause supported by oath or affirmation.
SEC. 8. In
all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have a right to be heard by
himself and by counsel; to be informed of the nature and cause of the
accusation; to be confronted by the witnesses against him; to have compulsory
process to obtain witnesses in his behalf; to be released on bail upon
sufficient security, except in capital offenses, where the proof is evident or
the presumption great; and in all prosecutions by indictment or information, to
a speedy, public trial by an impartial jury. No person shall be compelled to
give evidence against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property
without due process of law, nor shall excessive bail be required nor excessive
fines imposed. No person shall be held to answer for any crime, punishable by
death or life imprisonment, unless on a presentment or an indictment of a grand
jury, except in the armed forces, or in the militia when in actual service in
time of war or public danger.
(Sec. 8
amended in 1982. See Art. XVII of Amendments to the Constitution of the State
of
SEC. 9. No
person shall be arrested, detained or punished, except in cases clearly
warranted by law.
SEC. 10. All
courts shall be open, and every person, for an injury done to him in his
person, property or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law, and
right and justice administered without sale, denial or delay.
SEC. 11. The
property of no person shall be taken for public use, without just compensation
therefor.
SEC. 12. The
privileges of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless, when in
case of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it; nor in any
case, but by the legislature.
SEC. 13. No
person shall be attainted of treason or felony, by the legislature.
SEC. 14. The
citizens have a right, in a peaceable manner, to assemble for their common
good, and to apply to those invested with the powers of government, for redress
of grievances, or other proper purposes, by petition, address or remonstrance.
SEC. 15.
Every citizen has a right to bear arms in defense of himself and the state.
SEC. 16. The
military shall, in all cases, and at all times, be in strict subordination to
the civil power.
SEC. 17. No
soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent
of the owner; nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
SEC. 18. No
hereditary emoluments, privileges or honors, shall ever be granted, or
conferred in this state.
SEC. 19. The
right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate.
(Sec. 19 amended in 1972. See Art. IV of Amendments to the Constitution of the
State of
SEC. 20. No
person shall be denied the equal protection of the law nor be subjected to segregation
or discrimination in the exercise or enjoyment of his civil or political rights
because of religion, race, color, ancestry or national origin.
(Sec. 20
amended in 1974. See Art. V of Amendments to the Constitution of the State of
(Sec. 20
amended in 1984. See Art. XXI of the Amendments to the Constitution of the
State of
ARTICLE SECOND.*
OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF POWERS.
The powers of
government shall be divided into three distinct departments, and each of them
confided to a separate magistracy, to wit, those which are legislative, to one;
those which are executive, to another; and those which are judicial, to
another.
*(ARTICLE
SECOND amended in 1982. See Art. XVIII of Amendments to the Constitution of the
State of
ARTICLE THIRD.
OF THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.
SEC. 1. The
legislative power of the state shall be vested in two distinct houses or
branches; the one to be styled the senate, the other the house of
representatives, and both together the general assembly. The style of their
laws shall be: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in
General Assembly convened.
SEC. 2. There
shall be a regular session of the general assembly to commence on the Wednesday
following the first Monday of the January next succeeding the election of its
members, and at such other times as the general assembly shall judge necessary;
but the person administering the office of governor may, on special emergencies,
convene the general assembly at any other time. All regular and special
sessions of the general assembly shall be held at
(Sec. 2
amended in 1970. See Art. III of Amendments to the Constitution of the State of
SEC. 3. The
senate shall consist of not less than thirty and not more than fifty members,
each of whom shall be an elector residing in the senatorial district from which
he is elected. Each senatorial district shall be contiguous as to territory and
shall elect no more than one senator.
(Sec. 3
amended in 1970. See Art. II, Sec. 1 of Amendments to the Constitution of the
State of
SEC. 4. The
house of representatives shall consist of not less than one hundred twenty-five
and not more than two hundred twenty-five members, each of whom shall be an
elector residing in the assembly district from which he is elected. Each
assembly district shall be contiguous as to territory and shall elect no more
than one representative. For the purpose of forming assembly districts no town
shall be divided except for the purpose of forming assembly districts wholly
within the town.
(Sec. 4
amended in 1970. See Art. II, Sec. 2 of Amendments to the Constitution of the
State of
SEC. 5. The
establishment of districts in the general assembly shall be consistent with
federal constitutional standards.
(Sec. 5
amended in 1980. See Art. XVI, Sec. 1 of Amendments to the Constitution of the
State of
SEC. 6. a.
The assembly and senatorial districts as now established by law shall continue
until the regular session of the general assembly next after the completion of
the next census of the
b. If the
general assembly fails to enact a plan of districting by the first day of the
April next following the completion of the decennial census of the United
States, the governor shall forthwith appoint a commission consisting of the
eight members designated by the president pro tempore of the senate, the
speaker of the house of representatives, the minority leader of the senate and
the minority leader of the house of representatives, each of whom shall
designate two members of the commission, provided that there are members of no
more than two political parties in either the senate or the house of
representatives. In the event that there are members of more than two political
parties in a house of the general assembly, all members of that house belonging
to the parties other than that of the president pro tempore of the senate or
the speaker of the house of representatives, as the case may be, shall select
one of their number, who shall designate two members of the commission in lieu
of the designation by the minority leader of that house.
c. The
commission shall proceed to consider the alteration of districts in accordance
with the principles recited in this article and it shall submit a plan of
districting to the secretary of the state by the first day of the July next
succeeding the appointment of its members. No plan shall be submitted to the
secretary unless it is certified by at least six members of the commission.
Upon receiving such plan the secretary shall publish the same forthwith, and,
upon publication, such plan of districting shall have the full force of law.
d. If by the
first day of the July next succeeding the appointment of its members the
commission fails to submit a plan of districting, a board of three persons
shall forthwith be empaneled. The speaker of the house of representatives and
the minority leader of the house of representatives shall each designate, as
one member of the board, a judge of the superior court of the state, provided
that there are members of no more than two political parties in the house of
representatives. In the event that there are members of more than two political
parties in the house of representatives, all members belonging to the parties
other than that of the speaker shall select one of their number, who shall then
designate, as one member of the board, a judge of the superior court of the
state, in lieu of the designation by the minority leader of the house of
representatives. The two members of the board so designated shall select an
elector of the state as the third member.
e. The board
shall proceed to consider the alteration of districts in accordance with the
principles recited in this article and shall, by the first day of the October
next succeeding its selection, submit a plan of districting to the secretary.
No plan shall be submitted to the secretary unless it is certified by at least
two members of the board. Upon receiving such plan, the secretary shall publish
the same forthwith, and, upon publication, such plan of districting shall have
full force of law.
(Sec. 6,
subsections a through e, amended in 1976. See Art. XII of Amendments to the
Constitution of the State of
SEC. 7. The
treasurer, secretary of the state, and comptroller shall canvass publicly the
votes for senators and representatives. The person in each senatorial district
having the greatest number of votes for senator shall be declared to be duly
elected for such district, and the person in each assembly district having the
greatest number of votes for representative shall be declared to be duly
elected for such district. The general assembly shall provide by law the manner
in which an equal and the greatest number of votes for two or more persons so
voted for for senator or representative shall be resolved. The return of votes,
and the result of the canvass, shall be submitted to the house of
representatives and to the senate on the first day of the session of the general
assembly. Each house shall be the final judge of the election returns and
qualifications of its own members.
SEC. 8. A
general election for members of the general assembly shall be held on the
Tuesday after the first Monday of November, biennially, in the even-numbered
years. The general assembly shall have power to enact laws regulating and
prescribing the order and manner of voting for such members, for filling
vacancies in either the house of representatives or the senate, and providing
for the election of representatives or senators at some time subsequent to the
Tuesday after the first Monday of November in all cases when it shall so happen
that the electors in any district shall fail on that day to elect a
representative or senator.
SEC. 9. At
all elections for members of the general assembly the presiding officers in the
several towns shall receive the votes of the electors, and count and declare
them in open meeting. The presiding officers shall make and certify duplicate
lists of the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each. One list
shall be delivered within three days to the town clerk, and within ten days
after such meeting, the other shall be delivered under seal to the secretary of
the state.
SEC. 10. The
members of the general assembly shall hold their offices from the Wednesday
following the first Monday of the January next succeeding their election until
the Wednesday after the first Monday of the third January next succeeding their
election, and until their successors are duly qualified.
SEC. 11. No
member of the general assembly shall, during the term for which he is elected,
hold or accept any appointive position or office in the judicial or executive
department of the state government, or in the courts of the political subdivisions
of the state, or in the government of any county. No member of congress, no
person holding any office under the authority of the
SEC. 12. The
house of representatives, when assembled, shall choose a speaker, clerk and
other officers. The senate shall choose a president pro tempore, clerk and
other officers, except the president. A majority of each house shall constitute
a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and
compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties
as each house may prescribe.
SEC. 13. Each
house shall determine the rules of its own proceedings, and punish members for
disorderly conduct, and, with the consent of two-thirds, expel a member, but
not a second time for the same cause; and shall have all other powers necessary
for a branch of the legislature of a free and independent state.
SEC. 14. Each
house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and publish the same when
required by one-fifth of its members, except such parts as in the judgment of a
majority require secrecy. The yeas and nays of the members of either house
shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on the journals.
SEC. 15. The
senators and representatives shall, in all cases of civil process, be
privileged from arrest, during any session of the general assembly, and for
four days before the commencement and after the termination of any session
thereof. And for any speech or debate in either house, they shall not be
questioned in any other place.
SEC. 16. The
debates of each house shall be public, except on such occasions as in the
opinion of the house may require secrecy.
SEC. 17. The
salary of the members of the general assembly and the transportation expenses
of its members in the performance of their legislative duties shall be
determined by law.
(Sec. 18 added in 1992. See Art. XXVIII of Amendments to the Constitution of
the State of
ARTICLE FOURTH.
OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
SEC. 1. A
general election for governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary of the state,
treasurer and comptroller shall be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday
of November, 1966, and quadrennially thereafter.
(Sec. 1
amended in 1970. See Art. I of Amendments to the Constitution of the State of
SEC. 2. Such
officers shall hold their respective offices from the Wednesday following the
first Monday of the January next succeeding their election until the Wednesday
following the first Monday of the fifth January succeeding their election and
until their successors are duly qualified.
SEC. 3. In
the election of governor and lieutenant-governor, voting for such offices shall
be as a unit. The name of no candidate for either office, nominated by a
political party or by petition, shall appear on the voting machine ballot
labels except in conjunction with the name of the candidate for the other
office.
SEC. 4. At
the meetings of the electors in the respective towns held quadrennially as
herein provided for the election of state officers, the presiding officers
shall receive the votes and shall count and declare the same in the presence of
the electors. The presiding officers shall make and certify duplicate lists of
the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each. One list shall be
delivered within three days to the town clerk, and within ten days after such
meeting, the other shall be delivered under seal to the secretary of the state.
The votes so delivered shall be counted, canvassed and declared by the
treasurer, secretary, and comptroller, within the month of November. The vote
for treasurer shall be counted, canvassed and declared by the secretary and
comptroller only; the vote for secretary shall be counted, canvassed and
declared by the treasurer and comptroller only; and the vote for comptroller
shall be counted, canvassed and declared by the treasurer and secretary only. A
fair list of the persons and number of votes given for each, together with the
returns of the presiding officers, shall be, by the treasurer, secretary and
comptroller, made and laid before the general assembly, then next to be held,
on the first day of the session thereof. In the election of governor,
lieutenant-governor, secretary, treasurer, comptroller and attorney general,
the person found upon the count by the treasurer, secretary and comptroller in
the manner herein provided, to be made and announced before December fifteenth
of the year of the election, to have received the greatest number of votes for
each of such offices, respectively, shall be elected thereto; provided, if the
election of any of them shall be contested as provided by statute, and if such
a contest shall proceed to final judgment, the person found by the court to
have received the greatest number of votes shall be elected. If two or more persons
shall be found upon the count of the treasurer, secretary and comptroller to
have received an equal and the greatest number of votes for any of said
offices, and the election is not contested, the general assembly on the second
day of its session shall hold a joint convention of both houses, at which,
without debate, a ballot shall be taken to choose such officer from those
persons who received such a vote; and the balloting shall continue on that or
subsequent days until one of such persons is chosen by a majority vote of those
present and voting. The general assembly shall have power to enact laws
regulating and prescribing the order and manner of voting for such officers.
The general assembly shall by law prescribe the manner in which all questions concerning
the election of a governor or lieutenant-governor shall be determined.
SEC. 5. The
supreme executive power of the state shall be vested in the governor. No person
who is not an elector of the state, and who has not arrived at the age of
thirty years, shall be eligible.
SEC. 6. The
lieutenant-governor shall possess the same qualifications as are herein
prescribed for the governor.
SEC. 7. The
compensations of the governor and lieutenant-governor shall be established by
law, and shall not be varied so as to take effect until after an election,
which shall next succeed the passage of the law establishing such
compensations.
SEC. 8. The
governor shall be captain general of the militia of the state, except when
called into the service of the
SEC. 9. He
may require information in writing from the officers in the executive
department, on any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices.
SEC. 10. The
governor, in case of a disagreement between the two houses of the general
assembly, respecting the time of adjournment, may adjourn them to such time as
he shall think proper, not beyond the day of the next stated session.
SEC. 11. He
shall, from time to time, give to the general assembly, information of the
state of the government, and recommend to their consideration such measures as
he shall deem expedient.
SEC. 12. He
shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.
SEC. 13. The
governor shall have power to grant reprieves after conviction, in all cases
except those of impeachment, until the end of the next session of the general
assembly, and no longer.
SEC. 14. All
commissions shall be in the name and by authority of the state of
SEC. 15. Each
bill which shall have passed both houses of the general assembly shall be
presented to the governor. Bills may be presented to the governor after the
adjournment of the general assembly, and the general assembly may prescribe the
time and method of performing all ministerial acts necessary or incidental to
the administration of this section. If the governor shall approve a bill, he
shall sign and transmit it to the secretary of the state, but if he shall
disapprove, he shall transmit it to the secretary with his objections, and the
secretary shall thereupon return the bill with the governor's objections to the
house in which it originated. After the objections shall have been entered on
its journal, such house shall proceed to reconsider the bill. If, after such
reconsideration, that house shall again pass it, but by the approval of at
least two-thirds of its members, it shall be sent with the objections to the
other house, which shall also reconsider it. If approved by at least two-thirds
of the members of the second house, it shall be a law and be transmitted to the
secretary; but in such case the votes of each house shall be determined by yeas
and nays and the names of the members voting for and against the bill shall be
entered on the journal of each house respectively. In case the governor shall
not transmit the bill to the secretary, either with his approval or with his
objections, within five calendar days, Sundays and legal holidays excepted,
after the same shall have been presented to him, it shall be a law at the
expiration of that period; except that, if the general assembly shall then have
adjourned any regular or special session, the bill shall be a law unless the
governor shall, within fifteen calendar days after the same has been presented
to him, transmit it to the secretary with his objections, in which case it
shall not be a law unless such bill is reconsidered and repassed by the general
assembly by at least a two-thirds vote of the members of each house of the
general assembly at the time of its reconvening.
(See Art. III
of Amendments to the Constitution of the State of
SEC. 16. The
governor shall have power to disapprove of any item or items of any bill making
appropriations of money embracing distinct items while at the same time
approving the remainder of the bill, and the part or parts of the bill so
approved shall become effective and the item or items of appropriations so
disapproved shall not take effect unless the same are separately reconsidered
and repassed in accordance with the rules and limitations prescribed for the
passage of bills over the executive veto. In all cases in which the governor
shall exercise the right of disapproval hereby conferred he shall append to the
bill at the time of signing it a statement of the item or items disapproved,
together with his reasons for such disapproval, and transmit the bill and such
appended statement to the secretary of the state. If the general assembly be
then in session he shall forthwith cause a copy of such statement to be
delivered to the house in which the bill originated for reconsideration of the
disapproved items in conformity with the rules prescribed for legislative
action in respect to bills which have received executive disapproval.
SEC. 17. The
lieutenant-governor shall by virtue of his office, be president of the senate,
and have, when in committee of the whole, a right to debate, and when the
senate is equally divided, to give the casting vote.
SEC. 18. In
case of the death, resignation, refusal to serve or removal from office of the
governor, the lieutenant-governor shall, upon taking the oath of office of
governor, be governor of the state until another is chosen at the next regular
election for governor and is duly qualified. In case of the inability of the
governor to exercise the powers and perform the duties of his office, or in
case of his impeachment or of his absence from the state, the
lieutenant-governor shall exercise the powers and authority and perform the
duties appertaining to the office of governor until the disability is removed
or, if the governor has been impeached, he is acquitted or, if absent, he has
returned.
(Sec. 18
amended in 1984. See Art. XXII of Amendments to the Constitution of the State
of
SEC. 19. If
the lieutenant-governor succeeds to the office of governor, or if the
lieutenant-governor dies, resigns, refuses to serve or is removed from office,
the president pro tempore of the senate shall, upon taking the oath of office
of lieutenant-governor, be lieutenant-governor of the state until another is
chosen at the next regular election for lieutenant-governor and is duly
qualified. Within fifteen days of the administration of such oath the senate,
if the general assembly is in session, shall elect one of its members president
pro tempore. In case of the inability of the lieutenant-governor to exercise
the powers and perform the duties of his office or in case of his impeachment
or absence from the state, the president pro tempore of the senate shall
exercise the powers and authority and perform the duties appertaining to the
office of lieutenant-governor until the disability is removed or, if the
lieutenant-governor has been impeached, he is acquitted or, if absent, he has
returned.
SEC. 20. If,
while the general assembly is not in session, there is a vacancy in the office
of president pro tempore of the senate, the secretary of the state shall within
fifteen days convene the senate for the purpose of electing one of its members
president pro tempore.
SEC. 21. If,
at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the governor, the
governor-elect shall have died or shall have failed to qualify, the
lieutenant-governor-elect, after taking the oath of office of
lieutenant-governor, may qualify as governor, and, upon so qualifying, shall
become governor. The general assembly may by law provide for the case in which
neither the governor-elect nor the lieutenant-governor-elect shall have
qualified, by declaring who shall, in such event, act as governor or the manner
in which the person who is so to act shall be selected, and such person shall
act accordingly until a governor or a lieutenant-governor shall have qualified.
SEC. 22. The
treasurer shall receive all monies belonging to the state, and disburse the
same only as he may be directed by law. He shall pay no warrant, or order for
the disbursement of public money, until the same has been registered in the
office of the comptroller.
SEC. 23. The
secretary of the state shall have the safe keeping and custody of the public
records and documents, and particularly of the acts, resolutions and orders of
the general assembly, and record the same; and perform all such duties as shall
be prescribed by law. He shall be the keeper of the seal of the state, which
shall not be altered.
SEC. 24. The
comptroller shall adjust and settle all public accounts and demands, except
grants and orders of the general assembly. He shall prescribe the mode of
keeping and rendering all public accounts. He shall, ex officio, be one of the
auditors of the accounts of the treasurer. The general assembly may assign to
him other duties in relation to his office, and to that of the treasurer, and
shall prescribe the manner in which his duties shall be performed.
SEC. 25. Sheriffs
shall be elected in the several counties, on the Tuesday after the first Monday
of November, l966, and quadrennially thereafter, for the term of four years,
commencing on the first day of June following their election. They shall become
bound with sufficient sureties to the treasurer of the state, for the faithful
discharge of the duties of their office. They shall be removable by the general
assembly. In case the sheriff of any county shall die or resign, or shall be
removed from office by the general assembly, the governor may fill the vacancy
occasioned thereby, until the same shall be filled by the general assembly.
(Sec. 25 amended in 2000. See Art. XXX of Amendments to the Constitution of the
State of
SEC. 26. A
statement of all receipts, payments, funds, and debts of the state, shall be
published from time to time, in such manner and at such periods, as shall be
prescribed by law.
(New Section
added in 1984. See Art. XXIII of Amendments to the Constitution of
ARTICLE FIFTH.*
OF THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT.
SEC. 1. The
judicial power of the state shall be vested in a supreme court, a superior
court, and such lower courts as the general assembly shall, from time to time,
ordain and establish. The powers and jurisdiction of these courts shall be
defined by law.
(Sec. 1
amended in 1982. See Art. XX. Sec. 1 of Amendments to the Constitution of the
State of
SEC. 2. The
judges of the supreme court and of the superior court shall, upon nomination by
the governor, be appointed by the general assembly in such manner as shall by
law be prescribed. They shall hold their offices for the term of eight years,
but may be removed by impeachment. The governor shall also remove them on the
address of two-thirds of each house of the general assembly.
(See Art. XI
of Amendments to the Constitution of the State of
(Sec. 2 amended in 1982. See Art. XX, Sec. 2 of Amendments to the Constitution
of the State of
SEC. 3.
Judges of the lower courts shall, upon nomination by the governor, be appointed
by the general assembly in such manner as shall by law be prescribed, for terms
of four years.
SEC. 4.
Judges of probate shall be elected by the electors residing in their respective
districts on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November, 1966, and
quadrennially thereafter, and shall hold office for four years from and after
the Wednesday after the first Monday of the next succeeding January.
SEC. 5.
Justices of the peace for the several towns in the state shall be elected by
the electors in such towns; and the time and manner of their election, the
number for each town, the period for which they shall hold their offices and
their jurisdiction shall be prescribed by law.
(Sec. 5
repealed in 1974. See Art. VIII, Sec. 1 of Amendments to the Constitution of
the State of
SEC. 6. No
judge or justice of the peace shall be eligible to hold his office after he
shall arrive at the age of seventy years, except that a chief justice or judge
of the supreme court, a judge of the superior court, or a judge of the court of
common pleas, who has attained the age of seventy years and has become a state
referee may exercise, as shall be prescribed by law, the powers of the superior
court or court of common pleas on matters referred to him as a state referee.
(Sec. 6
amended in 1974. See Art. VIII, Sec. 2 of Amendments to the Constitution of the
State of Connecticut.)
*(Art. Fifth
amended in 1976. See Art. XI of Amendments to the Constitution of the State of
Connecticut.)
ARTICLE SIXTH.*
OF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF ELECTORS.
SEC. 1. Every
citizen of the United States who has attained the age of twenty-one years, who
has resided in the town in which he offers himself to be admitted to the
privileges of an elector at least six months next preceding the time he so
offers himself, who is able to read in the English language any article of the
constitution or any section of the statutes of the state, and who sustains a
good moral character, shall, on his taking such oath as may be prescribed by
law, be an elector.
(Sec. 1.
amended in 1976. See Art. IX of Amendments to the Constitution of the State of
Connecticut. See Art. XXVI of Amendments to the Constitution of the United
States of America.)
SEC. 2. The
qualifications of electors as set forth in Section 1 of this article shall be
decided at such times and in such manner as may be prescribed by law.
SEC. 3. The
general assembly shall by law prescribe the offenses on conviction of which the
privileges of an elector shall be forfeited and the conditions on which and
methods by which such rights may be restored.
(Sec. 3
amended in 1974. See Art. VII of Amendments to the Constitution of the State of
Connecticut.)
SEC. 4. Laws
shall be made to support the privilege of free suffrage, prescribing the manner
of regulating and conducting meetings of the electors, and prohibiting, under
adequate penalties, all undue influence therein, from power, bribery, tumult
and other improper conduct.
SEC. 5. In
all elections of officers of the state, or members of the general assembly, the
votes of the electors shall be by ballot, either written or printed, except
that voting machines or other mechanical devices for voting may be used in all
elections in the state, under such regulations as may be prescribed by law. The
right of secret voting shall be preserved. At every election where candidates
are listed by party designation and where voting machines or other mechanical
devices are used, each elector shall be able at his option to vote for candidates
for office under a single party designation by operating a straight ticket
device, or to vote for candidates individually after first operating a straight
ticket device, or to vote for candidates individually without first operating a
straight ticket device.
(Sec. 5
amended in 1986. See Art. XXIV of Amendments to the Constitution of the State
of Connecticut.)
SEC. 6. At
all elections of officers of the state, or members of the general assembly, the
electors shall be privileged from arrest, during their attendance upon, and
going to, and returning from the same, on any civil process.
SEC. 7. The
general assembly may provide by law for voting in the choice of any officer to
be elected or upon any question to be voted on at an election by qualified
voters of the state who are unable to appear at the polling place on the day of
election because of absence from the city or town of which they are inhabitants
or because of sickness, or physical disability or because the tenets of their
religion forbid secular activity.
SEC. 8. The
general assembly may provide by law for the admission as electors in absentia
of members of the armed forces, the United States merchant marine, members of
religious or welfare groups or agencies attached to and serving with the armed
forces and civilian employees of the United States, and the spouses and
dependents of such persons.
(Sec. 8 amended in 1992. See Art. XXVII of Amendments to the Constitution of
the State of Connecticut.)
SEC. 9. Any
person admitted as an elector in any town shall, if he removes to another town,
have the privileges of an elector in such other town after residing therein for
six months. The general assembly shall prescribe by law the manner in which
evidence of the admission of an elector and of the duration of his current
residence shall be furnished to the town to which he removes.
(Sec. 9
repealed in 1980. See Art. XIII of Amendments to the Constitution of the State
of Connecticut.)
SEC. 10.
Every elector shall be eligible to any office in the state, except in cases
provided for in this constitution.
(Sec. 10
amended in 1970. See Art. II, Sec. 3 of Amendments to the Constitution of the
State of Connecticut.)
*(Art. Sixth
amended in 1976. See Art. X of Amendments to the Constitution of the State of
Connecticut.)
ARTICLE SEVENTH.
OF RELIGION.
It being the
right of all men to worship the Supreme Being, the Great Creator and Preserver
of the Universe, and to render that worship in a mode consistent with the
dictates of their consciences, no person shall by law be compelled to join or
support, nor be classed or associated with, any congregation, church or
religious association. No preference shall be given by law to any religious
society or denomination in the state. Each shall have and enjoy the same and
equal powers, rights and privileges, and may support and maintain the ministers
or teachers of its society or denomination, and may build and repair houses for
public worship.
ARTICLE EIGHTH.
OF EDUCATION.
SEC. 1. There
shall always be free public elementary and secondary schools in the state. The
general assembly shall implement this principle by appropriate legislation.
SEC. 2. The
state shall maintain a system of higher education, including The University of
Connecticut, which shall be dedicated to excellence in higher education. The
general assembly shall determine the size, number, terms and method of
appointment of the governing boards of The University of Connecticut and of
such constituent units or coordinating bodies in the system as from time to
time may be established.
SEC. 3. The
charter of Yale College, as modified by agreement with the corporation thereof,
in pursuance of an act of the general assembly, passed in May, 1792, is hereby
confirmed.
SEC. 4. The
fund, called the SCHOOL FUND, shall remain a perpetual fund, the interest of
which shall be inviolably appropriated to the support and encouragement of the
public schools throughout the state, and for the equal benefit of all the
people thereof. The value and amount of said fund shall be ascertained in such
manner as the general assembly may prescribe, published, and recorded in the
comptroller's office; and no law shall ever be made, authorizing such fund to
be diverted to any other use than the encouragement and support of public
schools, among the several school societies, as justice and equity shall
require.
ARTICLE NINTH.
OF IMPEACHMENTS.
SEC. 1. The
house of representatives shall have the sole power of impeaching.
SEC. 2. All
impeachments shall be tried by the senate. When sitting for that purpose, they
shall be on oath or affirmation. No person shall be convicted without the
concurrence of at least two-thirds of the members present. When the governor is
impeached, the chief justice shall preside.
SEC. 3. The governor,
and all other executive and judicial officers, shall be liable to impeachment;
but judgments in such cases shall not extend further than to removal from
office, and disqualification to hold any office of honor, trust or profit under
the state. The party convicted, shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to
indictment, trial and punishment according to law.
SEC. 4.
Treason against the state shall consist only in levying war against it, or
adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be
convicted of treason, unless on the testimony of at least two witnesses to the
same overt act, or on confession in open court. No conviction of treason, or
attainder, shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture.
ARTICLE TENTH.
OF HOME RULE.
SEC. 1. The
general assembly shall by general law delegate such legislative authority as
from time to time it deems appropriate to towns, cities and boroughs relative
to the powers, organization, and form of government of such political
subdivisions. The general assembly shall from time to time by general law
determine the maximum terms of office of the various town, city and borough
elective offices. After July 1, 1969, the general assembly shall enact no
special legislation relative to the powers, organization, terms of elective
offices or form of government of any single town, city or borough, except as to
(a) borrowing power, (b) validating acts, and (c) formation, consolidation or
dissolution of any town, city or borough, unless in the delegation of legislative
authority by general law the general assembly shall have failed to prescribe
the powers necessary to effect the purpose of such special legislation.
SEC. 2. The
general assembly may prescribe the methods by which towns, cities and boroughs
may establish regional governments and the methods by which towns, cities,
boroughs and regional governments may enter into compacts. The general assembly
shall prescribe the powers, organization, form, and method of dissolution of
any government so established.
ARTICLE ELEVENTH.
GENERAL PROVISIONS.
SEC. 1.
Members of the general assembly, and all officers, executive and judicial,
shall, before they enter on the duties of their respective offices, take the
following oath or affirmation, to wit:
You do
solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that you will support the
constitution of the United States, and the constitution of the state of
Connecticut, so long as you continue a citizen thereof; and that you will
faithfully discharge, according to law, the duties of the office
of...........to the best of your abilities. So help you God.
SEC. 2.
Neither the general assembly nor any county, city, borough, town or school
district shall have power to pay or grant any extra compensation to any public
officer, employee, agent or servant, or increase the compensation of any public
officer or employee, to take effect during the continuance in office of any
person whose salary might be increased thereby, or increase the pay or
compensation of any public contractor above the amount specified in the
contract.
(Sec. 2
amended in 1982. See Art. XIX of Amendments to the Constitution of the State of
Connecticut.)
SEC. 3. In
order to insure continuity in operation of state and local governments in a
period of emergency resulting from disaster caused by enemy attack, the general
assembly shall provide by law for the prompt and temporary succession to the
powers and duties of all public offices, the incumbents of which may become
unavailable for carrying on their powers and duties.
SEC. 4.
Claims against the state shall be resolved in such manner as may be provided by
law.
SEC. 5. The
rights and duties of all corporations shall remain as if this constitution had
not been adopted; with the exception of such regulations and restrictions as
are contained in this constitution. All laws not contrary to, or inconsistent
with, the provisions of this constitution shall remain in force, until they
shall expire by their own limitation, or shall be altered or repealed by the
general assembly, in pursuance of this constitution. The validity of all bonds,
debts, contracts, as well of individuals as of bodies corporate, or the state,
of all suits, actions, or rights of action, both in law and equity, shall
continue as if no change had taken place. All officers filling any office by
election or appointment shall continue to exercise the duties thereof,
according to their respective commissions or appointments, until their offices
shall have been abolished or their successors selected and qualified in
accordance with this constitution or the laws enacted pursuant thereto.
ARTICLE TWELFTH.*
OF AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
Amendments to
this constitution may be proposed by any member of the senate or house of
representatives. An amendment so proposed, approved upon roll call by a yea
vote of at least a majority, but by less than three-fourths, of the total
membership of each house, shall be published with the laws which may have been
passed at the same session and be continued to the regular session of the
general assembly elected at the general election to be held on the Tuesday
after the first Monday of November in the next even-numbered year. An amendment
so proposed, approved upon roll call by a yea vote of at least three-fourths of
the total membership of each house, or any amendment which, having been
continued from the previous general assembly, is again approved upon roll call
by a yea vote of at least a majority of the total membership of each house,
shall, by the secretary of the state, be transmitted to the town clerk in each
town in the state, whose duty it shall be to present the same to the electors
thereof for their consideration at the general election to be held on the
Tuesday after the first Monday of November in the next even-numbered year. If
it shall appear, in a manner to be provided by law, that a majority of the
electors present and voting on such amendment at such election shall have
approved such amendment, the same shall be valid, to all intents and purposes,
as a part of this constitution. Electors voting by absentee ballot under the
provisions of the statutes shall be considered to be present and voting.
*(Art.
Twelfth amended in 1974. See Art. VI of Amendments to the Constitution of the
State of Connecticut.)
ARTICLE THIRTEENTH.
OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.
SEC. 1. The
general assembly may, upon roll call, by a yea vote of at least two-thirds of
the total membership of each house, provide for the convening of a
constitutional convention to amend or revise the constitution of the state not
earlier than ten years from the date of convening any prior convention.
SEC. 2. The
question "Shall there be a Constitutional Convention to amend or revise
the Constitution of the State?" shall be submitted to all the electors of
the state at the general election held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in
November in the even-numbered year next succeeding the expiration of a period
of twenty years from the date of convening of the last convention called to
revise or amend the constitution of the state, including the Constitutional
Convention of 1965, or next succeeding the expiration of a period of twenty
years from the date of submission of such a question to all electors of the
state, whichever date shall last occur. If a majority of the electors voting on
the question shall signify "yes", the general assembly shall provide
for such convention as provided in Section 3 of this article.
SEC. 3. In
providing for the convening of a constitutional convention to amend or revise
the constitution of the state the general assembly shall, upon roll call, by a
yea vote of at least two-thirds of the total membership of each house,
prescribe by law the manner of selection of the membership of such convention,
the date of convening of such convention, which shall be not later than one
year from the date of the roll call vote under Section 1 of this article or one
year from the date of the election under Section 2 of this article, as the case
may be, and the date for final adjournment of such convention.
SEC. 4.
Proposals of any constitutional convention to amend or revise the constitution
of the state shall be submitted to all the electors of the state not later than
two months after final adjournment of the convention, either as a whole or in
such parts and with such alternatives as the convention may determine. Any
proposal of the convention to amend or revise the constitution of the state
submitted to such electors in accordance with this section and approved by a
majority of such electors voting on the question shall be valid, to all intents
and purposes, as a part of this constitution. Such proposals when so approved
shall take effect thirty days after the date of the vote thereon unless
otherwise provided in the proposal.
ARTICLE FOURTEENTH.
OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS CONSTITUTION.
This proposed
constitution, submitted by the Constitutional Convention of 1965, shall become
the constitution of the state of Connecticut upon approval by the people and
proclamation by the governor as provided by law.
Approved at
referendum on December 14, 1965; proclaimed by the Governor as adopted on
December 30, 1965.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
ARTICLE I.
Section 1 of
article fourth of the constitution is amended to read as follows: A general
election for governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary of the state, treasurer,
comptroller and attorney general shall be held on the Tuesday after the first
Monday of November, 1974, and quadrennially thereafter.
Adopted
November 25, 1970.
ARTICLE II.
SEC. 1.
Section 3 of article third of the constitution is amended to read as follows:
The senate shall consist of not less than thirty and not more than fifty
members, each of whom shall have attained the age of twenty-one years and be an
elector residing in the senatorial district from which he is elected. Each
senatorial district shall be contiguous as to territory and shall elect no more
than one senator.
(Sec. 1
amended in 1980. See Art. XV of Amendments to the Constitution of the State of
Connecticut.)
SEC. 2.
Section 4 of said article third is amended to read as follows: The house of
representatives shall consist of not less than one hundred twenty-five and not
more than two hundred twenty-five members, each of whom shall have attained the
age of twenty-one years and be an elector residing in the assembly district
from which he is elected. Each assembly district shall be contiguous as to
territory and shall elect no more than one representative. For the purpose of
forming assembly districts no town shall be divided except for the purpose of
forming assembly districts wholly within the town.
(Sec. 2
amended in 1980. See Art. XV of Amendments to the Constitution of the State of
Connecticut.)
SEC. 3.
Section 10 of article sixth of the constitution is amended to read as follows:
Every elector who has attained the age of twenty-one years shall be eligible to
any office in the state, but no person who has not attained the age of
twenty-one shall be eligible therefor, except in cases provided for in this
constitution.
Adopted
November 25, 1970.
(Sec. 3
amended in 1980. See Art. XV of Amendments to the Constitution of the State of
Connecticut.)
ARTICLE III.
Section 2 of
article third of the constitution is amended to read as follows: There shall be
a regular session of the general assembly on the Wednesday following the first
Monday of January in the odd-numbered years and on the Wednesday following the
first Monday of February in the even-numbered years, and at such other times as
the general assembly shall judge necessary; but the person administering the
office of governor may, on special emergencies, convene the general assembly at
any other time. All regular and special sessions of the general assembly shall
be held at Hartford, but the person administering the office of governor may,
in case of special emergency, convene the assembly at any other place in the
state. The general assembly shall adjourn each regular session in the
odd-numbered years not later than the first Wednesday after the first Monday in
June and in the even-numbered years not later than the first Wednesday after
the first Monday in May and shall adjourn each special session upon completion
of its business. If any bill passed by any regular or special session or any appropriation
item described in Section 16 of Article Fourth has been disapproved by the
governor prior to its adjournment, and has not been reconsidered by the
assembly, or is so disapproved after such adjournment, the secretary of the
state shall reconvene the general assembly on the second Monday after the last
day on which the governor is authorized to transmit or has transmitted every
bill to the secretary with his objections pursuant to Section 15 of Article
Fourth of this constitution, whichever occurs first; provided if such Monday
falls on a legal holiday the general assembly shall be reconvened on the next
following day. The reconvened session shall be for the sole purpose of
reconsidering and, if the assembly so desires, repassing such bills. The general
assembly shall adjourn sine die not later than three days following its
reconvening. In the even year session the general assembly shall consider no
business other than budgetary, revenue and financial matters, bills and
resolutions raised by committees of the general assembly and those matters
certified in writing by the speaker of the house of representatives and
president pro tempore of the senate to be of an emergency nature.
Adopted
November 25, 1970.
ARTICLE IV.
Section 19 of
article first of the constitution is amended to read as follows: The right of
trial by jury shall remain inviolate, the number of such jurors, which shall
not be less than six, to be established by law; but no person shall, for a
capital offense, be tried by a jury of less than twelve jurors without his
consent. In all civil and criminal actions tried by a jury, the parties shall
have the right to challenge jurors peremptorily, the number of such challenges
to be established by law. The right to question each juror individually by
counsel shall be inviolate.
Adopted
December 22, 1972.
ARTICLE V.
Section 20 of
article first of the constitution is amended to read as follows: No person
shall be denied the equal protection of the law nor be subjected to segregation
or discrimination in the exercise or enjoyment of his or her civil or political
rights because of religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin or sex.
Adopted
November 27, 1974.
(Amended in 1984. See Art. XXI of the Amendments to the Constitution of the
State of Connecticut.)
ARTICLE VI.
Article
Twelfth of the constitution is amended to read as follows: Amendments to this
constitution may be proposed by any member of the senate or house of
representatives. An amendment so proposed, approved upon roll call by a yea
vote of at least a majority, but by less than three-fourths, of the total
membership of each house, shall be published with the laws which may have been
passed at the same session and be continued to the regular session of the
general assembly elected at the next general election to be held on the Tuesday
after the first Monday of November in an even-numbered year. An amendment so
proposed, approved upon roll call by a yea vote of at least three-fourths of
the total membership of each house, or any amendment which, having been
continued from the previous general assembly, is again approved upon roll call
by a yea vote of at least a majority of the total membership of each house,
shall, by the secretary of the state, be transmitted to the town clerk in each
town in the state, whose duty it shall be to present the same to the electors
thereof for their consideration at the next general election to be held on the
Tuesday after the first Monday of November in an even-numbered year. If it
shall appear, in a manner to be provided by law, that a majority of the
electors present and voting on such amendment at such election shall have
approved such amendment, the same shall be valid, to all intents and purposes,
as a part of this constitution. Electors voting by absentee ballot under the
provisions of the statutes shall be considered to be present and voting.
Adopted
November 27, 1974.
ARTICLE VII.
Section 3 of
article sixth of the constitution is amended to read as follows: The general
assembly shall by law prescribe the offenses on conviction of which the right
to be an elector and the privileges of an elector shall be forfeited and the
conditions on which and methods by which such rights may be restored.
Adopted
November 27, 1974.
ARTICLE VIII.
SEC. 1.
Section 5 of article fifth of the constitution is repealed.
SEC. 2.
Section 6 of said article fifth is amended to read as follows: No judge shall
be eligible to hold his office after he shall arrive at the age of seventy
years, except that a chief justice or judge of the supreme court, a judge of
the superior court, or a judge of the court of common pleas, who has attained
the age of seventy years and has become a state referee may exercise, as shall
be prescribed by law, the powers of the superior court or court of common pleas
on matters referred to him as a state referee.
Adopted
November 27, 1974.
ARTICLE IX.
Section 1 of
article sixth of the constitution is amended to read as follows: Every citizen
of the United States who has attained the age of eighteen years, who is a bona
fide resident of the town in which he seeks to be admitted as an elector and
who takes such oath, if any, as may be prescribed by law, shall be qualified to
be an elector.
Adopted November
24, 1976.
ARTICLE X.
Article sixth
of the constitution is amended by adding the following section:
SEC. 11. Any
citizen who will have attained the age of eighteen years on or before the day
of a regular election may apply for admission as an elector within the period
of four months prior to such election, at such times and in such manner as may
be prescribed by law, and, if qualified, shall become an elector on the day of
his or her eighteenth birthday.
Adopted
November 24, 1976; amended in 1980. (See Art. XIV of Amendments to the
Constitution of the State of Connecticut.)
ARTICLE XI.
Article fifth
of the constitution is amended by adding a new section to read as follows:
SEC. 7. In
addition to removal by impeachment and removal by the governor on the address
of two-thirds of each house of the general assembly, judges of all courts,
except those courts to which judges are elected, may, in such manner as shall
by law be prescribed, be removed or suspended by the supreme court. The general
assembly may establish a judicial review council which may also, in such manner
as shall by law be prescribed, censure any such judge or suspend any such judge
for a definite period not longer than one year.
Adopted
November 24, 1976.
ARTICLE XII.
Section 6 of
article third of the constitution is amended to read as follows:
SEC. 6. a.
The assembly and senatorial districts as now established by law shall continue
until the regular session of the general assembly next after the completion of
the next census of the United States. On or before the fifteenth day of
February next following the completion of the decennial census of the United
States, the general assembly shall appoint a reapportionment committee
consisting of four members of the senate, two who shall be designated by the
president pro tempore of the senate and two who shall be designated by the
minority leader of the senate, and four members of the house of
representatives, two who shall be designated by the speaker of the house of
representatives and two who shall be designated by the minority leader of the
house of representatives, provided there are members of no more than two
political parties in either the senate or the house of representatives. In the
event that there are members of more than two political parties in a house of
the general assembly, all members of that house belonging to the parties other
than that of the president pro tempore of the senate or the speaker of the
house of representatives, as the case may be, shall select one of their number,
who shall designate two members of the commission in lieu of the designation by
the minority leader of that house. Such committee shall advise the general
assembly on matters of apportionment. Such general assembly shall, upon roll
call, by a yea vote of at least two-thirds of the membership of each house,
enact such plan of districting as is necessary to preserve a proper
apportionment of representation in accordance with the principles recited in
this article. Thereafter the general assembly shall decennially at its next
regular session following the completion of the census of the United States,
upon roll call, by a yea vote of at least two-thirds of the membership of each
house, enact such plan of districting as is necessary in accordance with the
provisions of this article.
b. If the
general assembly fails to enact a plan of districting by the fifteenth day of
the May next following the completion of the decennial census of the United
States, the governor shall forthwith appoint a commission designated by the
president pro tempore of the senate, the speaker of the house of
representatives, the minority leader of the senate and the minority leader of
the house of representatives, each of whom shall designate two members of the
commission, provided that there are members of no more than two political
parties in either the senate or the house of representatives. In the event that
there are members of more than two political parties in a house of the general
assembly, all members of that house belonging to the parties other than that of
the president pro tempore of the senate or the speaker of the house of
representatives, as the case may be, shall select one of their number, who
shall designate two members of the commission in lieu of the designation by the
minority leader of that house. The eight members of the commission so
designated shall within fifteen days select an elector of the state as a ninth
member.
c. The
commission shall proceed to consider the alteration of districts in accordance
with the principles recited in this article and it shall submit a plan of
districting to the secretary of the state by the first day of the September
next succeeding the appointment of its members. No plan shall be submitted to
the secretary unless it is certified by at least five members of the
commission. Upon receiving such plan the secretary shall publish the same
forthwith, and, upon publication, such plan of districting shall have the full
force of law. If the commission shall fail to submit such a plan by the first
day of September, the secretary of the state shall forthwith so notify the
chief justice of the supreme court.
d. Original
jurisdiction is vested in the supreme court to be exercised on the petition of
any registered voter whereby said court may compel the commission, by mandamus
or otherwise, to perform its duty or to correct any error made in its plan of
districting, or said court may take such other action to effectuate the
purposes of this article, including the establishing of a plan of districting if
the commission fails to file its plan of districting by the first day of
September as said court may deem appropriate. Any such petition shall be filed
within forty-five days of the date specified for any duty or within forty-five
days after the filing of a plan of districting. The supreme court shall render
its decision not later than sixty days following the filing of such petition or
shall file its plan with the secretary of the state not later than the
fifteenth day of December next following the completion of the decennial census
of the United States. Upon receiving such plan the secretary shall publish the
same forthwith, and, upon publication, such plan of districting shall have the
full force of law.
Adopted
November 24, 1976; amended in 1980. (See Art. XVI of Amendments to the
Constitution of the State of Connecticut.)
ARTICLE XIII.
Section 9 of
article sixth of the constitution is repealed.
Adopted
November 26, 1980.
ARTICLE XIV.
Article tenth
of the amendments to the constitution is amended to read as follows: Any
citizen who will have attained the age of eighteen years on or before the day
of a regular election may apply for admission as an elector at such times and
in such manner as may be prescribed by law, and, if qualified, shall become an
elector on the day of his or her eighteenth birthday.
Adopted
November 26, 1980.
ARTICLE XV.
SEC. 1.
Section 1 of article two of the amendments to the constitution is amended to
read as follows: The senate shall consist of not less than thirty and not more
than fifty members, each of whom shall have attained the age of eighteen years
and be an elector residing in the senatorial district from which he is elected.
Each senatorial district shall be contiguous as to territory and shall elect no
more than one senator.
SEC. 2.
Section 2 of article two of the amendments to the constitution is amended to
read as follows: The house of representatives shall consist of not less than
one hundred twenty-five and not more than two hundred twenty-five members, each
of whom shall have attained the age of eighteen years and be an elector
residing in the assembly district from which he is elected. Each assembly
district shall be contiguous as to territory and shall elect no more than one
representative. For the purpose of forming assembly districts no town shall be
divided except for the purpose of forming assembly districts wholly within the
town.
SEC. 3.
Section 3 of article two of the amendments to the constitution is amended to
read as follows: Every elector who has attained the age of eighteen years shall
be eligible to any office in the state, but no person who has not attained the
age of eighteen shall be eligible therefor, except in cases provided for in
this constitution.
Adopted
November 26, 1980.
ARTICLE XVI.
SEC. 1. Section
5 of article third of the constitution is amended to read as follows: The
establishment of congressional districts and of districts in the general
assembly shall be consistent with federal constitutional standards.
SEC. 2.
Article twelve of the amendments to the constitution is amended to read as
follows:
a. The
assembly and senatorial districts and congressional districts as now
established by law shall continue until the regular session of the general
assembly next after the completion of the taking of the next census of the
United States. On or before the fifteenth day of February next following the
year in which the decennial census of the United States is taken, the general
assembly shall appoint a reapportionment committee consisting of four members
of the senate, two who shall be designated by the president pro tempore of the
senate and two who shall be designated by the minority leader of the senate,
and four members of the house of representatives, two who shall be designated
by the speaker of the house of representatives and two who shall be designated
by the minority leader of the house of representatives, provided there are
members of no more than two political parties in either the senate or the house
of representatives. In the event that there are members of more than two
political parties in a house of the general assembly, all members of that house
belonging to the parties other than that of the president pro tempore of the
senate or the speaker of the house of representatives, as the case may be,
shall select one of their number, who shall designate two members of the
committee in lieu of the designation by the minority leader of that house. Such
committee shall advise the general assembly on matters of apportionment. Upon
the filing of a report of such committee with the clerk of the house of
representatives and the clerk of the senate, the speaker of the house of
representatives and the president pro tempore of the senate shall, if the
general assembly is not in regular session, convene the general assembly in
special session for the sole purpose of adopting a plan of districting. Upon
the request of the speaker of the house of representatives and the president
pro tempore of the senate, the secretary of the state shall give notice of such
special session by mailing a true copy of the call of such special session, by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to each member of the
house of representatives and of the senate at his or her address as it appears
upon the records of said secretary not less than ten nor more than fifteen days
prior to the date of convening of such special session or by causing a true
copy of the call to be delivered to each member by a sheriff, deputy sheriff,
constable, state policeman or indifferent person at least twenty-four hours
prior to the time of convening of such special session. Such general assembly
shall, upon roll call, by a yea vote of at least two-thirds of the membership
of each house, adopt such plan of districting as is necessary to preserve a
proper apportionment of representation in accordance with the principles
recited in this article. Thereafter the general assembly shall decennially at
its next regular session or special session called for the purpose of adopting
a plan of districting following the completion of the taking of the census of
the United States, upon roll call, by a yea vote of at least two-thirds of the
membership of each house, adopt such plan of districting as is necessary in
accordance with the provisions of this article.
b. If the
general assembly fails to adopt a plan of districting by the first day of the
August next following the year in which the decennial census of the United
States is taken, the governor shall forthwith appoint a commission designated
by the president pro tempore of the senate, the speaker of the house of
representatives, the minority leader of the senate and the minority leader of
the house of representatives, each of whom shall designate two members of the
commission, provided that there are members of no more than two political
parties in either the senate or the house of representatives. In the event that
there are members of more than two political parties in a house of the general
assembly, all members of that house belonging to the parties other than that of
the president pro tempore of the senate or the speaker of the house of
representatives, as the case may be, shall select one of their number, who
shall designate two members of the commission in lieu of the designation by the
minority leader of that house. The eight members of the commission so
designated shall within thirty days select an elector of the state as a ninth
member.
c. The
commission shall proceed to consider the alteration of districts in accordance
with the principles recited in this article and it shall submit a plan of
districting to the secretary of the state by the thirtieth day of the October
next succeeding the appointment of its members. No plan shall be submitted to
the secretary unless it is certified by at least five members of the
commission. Upon receiving such plan the secretary shall publish the same
forthwith, and, upon publication, such plan of districting shall have the full
force of law. If the commission shall fail to submit such a plan by the thirtieth
day of October, the secretary of the state shall forthwith so notify the chief
justice of the supreme court.
d. Original
jurisdiction is vested in the supreme court to be exercised on the petition of
any registered voter whereby said court may compel the commission, by mandamus
or otherwise, to perform its duty or to correct any error made in its plan of
districting, or said court may take such other action to effectuate the
purposes of this article, including the establishing of a plan of districting
if the commission fails to file its plan of districting by the thirtieth day of
October as said court may deem appropriate. Any such petition shall be filed
within thirty days of the date specified for any duty or within thirty days
after the filing of a plan of districting. The supreme court shall render its
decision not later than forty-five days following the filing of such petition
or shall file its plan with the secretary of the state not later than the
fifteenth day of January next following the time for submission of a plan of
districting by the commission. Upon receiving such plan the secretary shall
publish the same forthwith, and, upon publication, such plan of districting
shall have the full force of law.
Adopted
November 26, 1980.
(Sec. 2
Amended in 1990. See Article XXVI of the Amendments to the Constitution of the
State of Connecticut.)
ARTICLE XVII.
Section 8 of
the article first of the constitution is amended to read as follows: In all
criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have a right to be heard by himself
and by counsel; to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be
confronted by the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process to obtain
witnesses in his behalf; to be released on bail upon sufficient security,
except in capital offenses, where the proof is evident or the presumption
great; and in all prosecutions by information, to a speedy, public trial by an
impartial jury. No person shall be compelled to give evidence against himself,
nor be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor
shall excessive bail be required nor excessive fines imposed. No person shall
be held to answer for any crime, punishable by death or life imprisonment,
unless upon probable cause shown at a hearing in accordance with procedures
prescribed by law, except in the armed forces, or in the militia when in actual
service in time of war or public danger.
Adopted
November 24, 1982.
ARTICLE XVIII.
Article
second of the constitution is amended to read as follows: The powers of
government shall be divided into three distinct departments, and each of them
confided to a separate magistracy, to wit, those which are legislative, to one;
those which are executive, to another; and those which are judicial, to
another. The legislative department may delegate regulatory authority to the
executive department; except that any administrative regulation of any agency
of the executive department may be disapproved by the general assembly or a
committee thereof in such manner as shall by law be prescribed.
Adopted
November 24, 1982.
ARTICLE XIX.
.Section 2 of
the article eleventh of the constitution is amended to read as follows: Except
as provided in this section, neither the state nor any political subdivision of
the state shall pay or grant to any elected official of the state or any
political subdivision of the state, any compensation greater than the amount of
compensation set at the beginning of such official's term of office for the
office which such official holds or increase the pay or compensation of any
public contractor above the amount specified in the contract. The provisions of
this section shall not apply to elected officials in towns in which the
legislative body is the town meeting. The compensation of an elected official
of a political subdivision of the state whose term of office is four years or
more may be increased once after such official has completed two years of his
term by the legislative body of such political subdivision. The term "compensation"
means, with respect to an elected official, such official's salary, exclusive
of reimbursement for necessary expenses or any other benefit to which his
office would entitle him.
Adopted
November 24, 1982.
ARTICLE XX.
SEC. 1.
Section 1 of article fifth of the constitution is amended to read as follows:
The judicial power of the state shall be vested in a supreme court, an
appellate court, a superior court, and such lower courts as the general
assembly shall, from time to time, ordain and establish. The powers and
jurisdiction of these courts shall be defined by law.
SEC. 2.
Section 2 of article fifth of the constitution is amended to read as follows:
The judges of the supreme court, of the appellate court and of the superior
court shall, upon nomination by the governor, be appointed by the general
assembly in such manner as shall by law be prescribed. They shall hold their
offices for the term of eight years, but may be removed by impeachment. The
governor shall also remove them on the address of two-thirds of each house of
the general assembly.
Adopted
November 24, 1982.
(Sec. 2
amended in 1986. See Art. XXV of Amendments to the Constitution of the State of
Connecticut.)
ARTICLE XXI.
Article fifth
of the amendments to the constitution is amended to read as follows: No person
shall be denied the equal protection of the law nor be subjected to segregation
or discrimination in the exercise or enjoyment of his or her civil or political
rights because of religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex or
physical or mental disability.
Adopted
November 28, 1984.
ARTICLE XXII.
Section 18 of
article fourth of the constitution is amended to read as follows:
a. In case of
the death, resignation, refusal to serve or removal from office of the
governor, the lieutenant-governor shall, upon taking the oath of office of
governor, be governor of the State until another is chosen at the next regular
election for governor and is duly qualified.
b. In case of
the impeachment of the governor or of his absence from the State, the
lieutenant-governor shall exercise the powers and authority and perform the
duties appertaining to the office of governor until, if the governor has been
impeached, he is acquitted or, if absent, he has returned.
c. Whenever
the governor transmits to the lieutenant-governor his written declaration that
he is unable to exercise the powers and perform the duties of his office, and
until the governor transmits to the lieutenant-governor a written declaration
to the contrary, the lieutenant-governor shall exercise the powers and
authority and perform the duties appertaining to the office of governor as
acting governor.
d. In the
absence of a written declaration of incapacity by the governor, whenever the
lieutenant-governor or a majority of the members of the Council on
Gubernatorial Incapacity transmits to the Council on Gubernatorial Incapacity a
written declaration that the governor is unable to exercise the powers and
perform the duties of his office, the Council shall convene within forty-eight
hours after the receipt of such written declaration to determine if the
governor is unable to exercise the powers and perform the duties of his office.
If the Council, within fourteen days after it is required to convene,
determines by two-thirds vote that the governor is unable to exercise the
powers and perform the duties of his office, it shall transmit a written
declaration to that effect to the president pro tempore of the Senate and the
speaker of the House of Representatives and to the lieutenant-governor and the
lieutenant-governor, upon receipt of such declaration, shall exercise the
powers and authority and discharge the duties appertaining to the office of the
governor as acting governor; otherwise, the governor shall continue to exercise
the powers and discharge the duties of his office. Upon receipt by the
president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker of the House of
Representatives of such a written declaration from the Council, the General
Assembly shall, in accordance with its rules, decide the issue, assembling
within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the General
Assembly, within twenty-one days after receipt of the written declaration or,
if the General Assembly is not in session, within twenty-one days after the
General Assembly is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of each
house that the governor is unable to exercise the powers and discharge the
duties of his office, the lieutenant-governor shall continue to exercise the
powers and authority and perform the duties appertaining to the office of
governor; otherwise, the governor shall resume the powers and duties of his
office.
e. In the
absence of a written declaration of incapacity by the governor and in an
emergency, when the governor is unable to exercise the powers and perform the
duties of his office and the business of the State requires the immediate
exercise of those powers and performance of those duties, the
lieutenant-governor shall transmit to the Council on Gubernatorial Incapacity a
written declaration to that effect and thereupon shall exercise the powers and
authority and discharge the duties appertaining to the office of governor as
acting governor. The Council shall convene or the members of the Council shall
otherwise communicate with each other collectively within twenty-four hours
after the receipt of such written declaration to determine if the governor is
unable to exercise the powers and perform the duties of his office. If the
Council, within fourteen days after it is required to convene, determines by
two-thirds vote that the governor is unable to exercise the powers and perform
the duties of his office, it shall transmit a written declaration to that
effect to the president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker of the House
of Representatives and to the lieutenant-governor and the lieutenant-governor
shall continue to exercise the powers and authority and perform the duties
appertaining to the office of governor as acting governor; otherwise, the
governor shall resume the powers and duties of his office. Upon receipt by the
president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker of the House of
Representatives of such a written declaration from the Council, the General
Assembly shall, in accordance with its rules, decide the issue, assembling
within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the General
Assembly, within twenty-one days after receipt of the written declaration or,
if the General Assembly is not in session, within twenty-one days after the
General Assembly is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of each
house that the governor is unable to exercise the powers and discharge the
duties of his office, the lieutenant-governor shall continue to exercise the
powers and authority and perform the duties appertaining to the office of
governor; otherwise, the governor shall resume the powers and duties of his
office.
f. Whenever
the governor transmits to the president pro tempore of the Senate and the
speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no
inability exists he shall resume the powers and duties of his office upon the
determination by a majority vote of each house of the General Assembly, in
accordance with its rules, that he is able to exercise the powers and perform
the duties of his office.
g. There
shall be a Council on Gubernatorial Incapacity, the membership, procedures and
terms of office of the members of which the General Assembly shall establish by
law.
h. The
Supreme Court shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction to adjudicate
disputes or questions arising under this section.
Adopted
November 28, 1984.
ARTICLE XXIII.
Article
fourth of the constitution is amended by adding a new section to read as
follows: There shall be established within the executive department a division
of criminal justice which shall be in charge of the investigation and
prosecution of all criminal matters. Said division shall include the chief
state's attorney, who shall be its administrative head, and the state's
attorneys for each judicial district, which districts shall be established by
law. The prosecutorial power of the state shall be vested in a chief state's
attorney and the state's attorney for each judicial district. The chief state's
attorney shall be appointed as prescribed by law. There shall be a commission
composed of the chief state's attorney and six members appointed by the
governor and confirmed by the General Assembly, two of whom shall be judges of
the Superior Court. Said commission shall appoint a state's attorney for each
judicial district and such other attorneys as prescribed by law.
Adopted
November 28, 1984.
ARTICLE XXIV.
Section 5 of
article sixth of the constitution is amended to read as follows:
In all
elections of officers of the state, or members of the general assembly, the
votes of the electors shall be by ballot, either written or printed, except
that voting machines or other mechanical devices for voting may be used in all
elections in the state, under such regulations as may be prescribed by law. No
voting machine or device used at any state or local election shall be equipped
with a straight ticket device. The right of secret voting shall be preserved.
Adopted
November 19, 1986.
ARTICLE XXV.
Section 2 of
article twenty of the amendments to the constitution is amended to read as
follows:
Judges of all
courts, except those courts to which judges are elected, shall be nominated by
the governor exclusively from candidates submitted by the judicial selection
commission. The commission shall seek and recommend qualified candidates in
such numbers as shall by law be prescribed. Judges so nominated shall be
appointed by the general assembly in such manner as shall by law be prescribed.
They shall hold their offices for the term of eight years, but may be removed
by impeachment. The governor shall also remove them on the address of
two-thirds of each house of the general assembly and the supreme court may also
remove them as is provided by law.
Adopted
November 19, 1986.
ARTICLE XXVI.
Section 2 of
article sixteen of the amendments to the constitution is amended to read as
follows:
a. The
assembly and senatorial districts and congressional districts as now
established by law shall continue until the regular session of the general
assembly next after the completion of the taking of the next census of the
United States. On or before the fifteenth day of February next following the
year in which the decennial census of the United States is taken, the general
assembly shall appoint a reapportionment committee consisting of four members
of the senate, two who shall be designated by the president pro tempore of the
senate and two who shall be designated by the minority leader of the senate,
and four members of the house of representatives, two who shall be designated
by the speaker of the house of representatives and two who shall be designated
by the minority leader of the house of representatives, provided there are
members of no more than two political parties in either the senate or the house
of representatives. In the event that there are members of more than two
political parties in a house of the general assembly, all members of that house
belonging to the parties other than that of the president pro tempore of the
senate or the speaker of the house of representatives, as the case may be,
shall select one of their number, who shall designate two members of the
committee in lieu of the designation by the minority leader of that house. Such
committee shall advise the general assembly on matters of apportionment. Upon
the filing of a report of such committee with the clerk of the house of
representatives and the clerk of the senate, the speaker of the house of
representatives and the president pro tempore of the senate shall, if the
general assembly is not in regular session, convene the general assembly in
special session for the sole purpose of adopting a plan of districting. Upon
the request of the speaker of the house of representatives and the president
pro tempore of the senate, the secretary of the state shall give notice of such
special session by mailing a true copy of the call of such special session, by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to each member of the
house of representatives and of the senate at his or her address as it appears
upon the records of said secretary not less than ten nor more than fifteen days
prior to the date of convening of such special session or by causing a true
copy of the call to be delivered to each member by a sheriff, deputy sheriff,
constable, state policeman or indifferent person at least twenty-four hours
prior to the time of convening of such special session. Such general assembly
shall, upon roll call, by a yea vote of at least two-thirds of the membership
of each house, adopt such plan of districting as is necessary to preserve a
proper apportionment of representation in accordance with the principles
recited in this article. Thereafter the general assembly shall decennially at
its next regular session or special session called for the purpose of adopting
a plan of districting following the completion of the taking of the census of
the United States, upon roll call, by a yea vote of at least two-thirds of the
membership of each house, adopt such plan of districting as is necessary in
accordance with the provisions of this article.
b. If the
general assembly fails to adopt a plan of districting by the fifteenth day of
the September next following the year in which the decennial census of the
United States is taken, the governor shall forthwith appoint a commission
designated by the president pro tempore of the senate, the speaker of the house
of representatives, the minority leader of the senate and the minority leader
of the house of representatives, each of whom shall designate two members of the
commission, provided that there are members of no more than two political
parties in either the senate or the house of representatives. In the event that
there are members of more than two political parties in a house of the general
assembly, all members of that house belonging to the parties other than that of
the president pro tempore of the senate or the speaker of the house of
representatives, as the case may be, shall select one of their number, who
shall designate two members of the commission in lieu of the designation by the
minority leader of that house. The eight members of the commission so
designated shall within thirty days select an elector of the state as a ninth
member.
c. The
commission shall proceed to consider the alteration of districts in accordance
with the principles recited in this article and it shall submit a plan of
districting to the secretary of the state by the thirtieth day of the November
next succeeding the appointment of its members. No plan shall be submitted to
the secretary unless it is certified by at least five members of the
commission. Upon receiving such plan the secretary shall publish the same
forthwith, and, upon publication, such plan of districting shall have the full
force of law. If the commission shall fail to submit such a plan by the
thirtieth day of November, the secretary of the state shall forthwith so notify
the chief justice of the supreme court.
d. Original
jurisdiction is vested in the supreme court to be exercised on the petition of
any registered voter whereby said court may compel the commission, by mandamus
or otherwise, to perform its duty or to correct any error made in its plan of
districting, or said court may take such other action to effectuate the
purposes of this article, including the establishing of a plan of districting
if the commission fails to file its plan of districting by the thirtieth day of
November as said court may deem appropriate. Any such petition shall be filed
within thirty days of the date specified for any duty or within thirty days
after the filing of a plan of districting. The supreme court shall render its
decision not later than forty-five days following the filing of such petition
or shall file its plan with the secretary of the state not later than the
fifteenth day of February next following the time for submission of a plan of
districting by the commission. Upon receiving such plan the secretary shall
publish the same forthwith, and, upon publication, such plan of districting
shall have the full force of the law.
Adopted
November 28, 1990; Amended in 2000. (See Article XXX of the Amendments to the
Constitution of the State of Connecticut.)
ARTICLE XXVII.
Section 8 of
article sixth of the constitution is amended to read as follows:
The general
assembly may provide by law for the absentee admission of electors.
Adopted
November 25, 1992.
ARTICLE XXVIII.
Article third
of the constitution is amended by adding section 18 as follows:
Sec. 18 a.
The amount of general budget expenditures authorized for any fiscal year shall
not exceed the estimated amount of revenue for such fiscal year.
b. The
general assembly shall not authorize an increase in general budget expenditures
for any fiscal year above the amount of general budget expenditures authorized
for the previous fiscal year by a percentage which exceeds the greater of the
percentage increase in personal income or the percentage increase in inflation,
unless the governor declares an emergency or the existence of extraordinary
circumstances and at least three-fifths of the members of each house of the
general assembly vote to exceed such limit for the purposes of such emergency
or extraordinary circumstances. The general assembly shall by law define
"increase in personal income", "increase in inflation" and
"general budget expenditures" for the purposes of this section and
may amend such definitions, from time to time, provided general budget
expenditures shall not include expenditures for the payment of bonds, notes or
other evidences of indebtedness. The enactment or amendment of such definitions
shall require the vote of three-fifths of the members of each house of the
general assembly.
c. Any
unappropriated surplus shall be used to fund a budget reserve fund or for the
reduction of bonded indebtedness; or for any other purpose authorized by at
least three-fifths of the members of each house of the general assembly.
Adopted
November 25, 1992.
ARTICLE XXIX.
Article
seventeen of the amendments to the constitution is amended to read as follows:
a. In all
Criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have a right to be heard by himself
and by counsel; to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be
confronted by the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process to obtain
witnesses in his behalf; to be released on bail upon sufficient security,
except in capital offenses, where the proof is evident or the presumption
great; and in all prosecutions by information, to a speedy, public trial by an
impartial jury. No person shall be compelled to give evidence against himself,
nor be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor
shall excessive bail be required nor excessive fines imposed. No person shall
be held to answer for any crime, punishable by death or life imprisonment,
unless upon probable cause shown at a hearing in accordance with procedures
prescribed by law, except in the armed forces, or in the militia when in actual
service in time of war or public danger.
b. In all
criminal prosecutions, a victim, as the general assembly may define by law,
shall have the following rights: (1) the right to be treated with fairness and
respect throughout the criminal justice process; (2) the right to timely
disposition of the case following arrest of the accused, provided no right of
the accused is abridged; (3) the right to be reasonably protected from the
accused throughout the criminal justice process; (4) the right to notification
of court proceedings; (5) the right to attend the trial and all other court
proceedings the accused has the right to attend, unless such person is to
testify and the court determines that such person's testimony would be
materially affected if such person hears other testimony; (6) the right to communicate
with the prosecution; (7) the right to object to or support any plea agreement
entered into by the accused and the prosecution and to make a statement to the
court prior to the acceptance by the court of the plea of guilty or nolo
contendere by the accused; (8) the right to make a statement to the court at
sentencing; (9) the right to restitution which shall be enforceable in the same
manner as any other cause of action or as otherwise provided by law; and (10)
the right to information about the arrest, conviction, sentence, imprisonment
and release of the accused. The general assembly shall provide by law for the
enforcement of this subsection. Nothing in this subsection or in any law
enacted pursuant to this subsection shall be construed as creating a basis for
vacating a conviction or ground for appellate relief in any criminal case.
Adopted
November 27, 1996.
ARTICLE XXX.
Sec. 1. Section 25 of
article fourth of the constitution is repealed.
Sec. 2. Subsection a. of
article twenty-sixth of the amendments to the constitution is amended to read
as follows:
a. The
assembly and senatorial districts and congressional districts as now
established by law shall continue until the regular session of the general
assembly next after the completion of the taking of the next census of the
Adopted November 29,
2000.
ARTICLE XXXI.
Article fourteenth of the
amendments to the Constitution is amended to read as follows:
Any citizen who will have
attained the age of eighteen years on or before the day of a regular election
may apply for admission as an elector at such times and in such manner as may
be prescribed by law, and, if qualified, shall become an elector on the day of
his or her eighteenth birthday. Any citizen who has not yet attained the age of
eighteen years but who will have attained the age of eighteen years on or
before the day of a regular election, who is otherwise qualified to be an
elector and who has applied for admission as an elector in such manner as may
be prescribed by law, may vote in any primary election, in such manner as may
be prescribed by law, held for such regular election.
Adopted November 26, 2008.