December 5, 2022
2022-R-0260
In the November 2022 election, voters approved a constitutional amendment that allows the General Assembly to
pass legislation establishing in-person, early voting. During the 2023 regular legislative session, the legislature
may consider whether to place a proposed amendment related to no-excuse absentee voting on the November
2024 election ballot. It may also consider newly proposed amendments. This issue brief describes how the state
constitution may be amended.
Introducing a Proposed Amendment
Introducing a proposed constitutional amendment generally
follows the same process as introducing a bill. Any legislator
may propose an amendment to the state constitution; a
proposed amendment is introduced as a joint resolution.
During even-numbered years, individual legislators may
propose only amendments that are of a fiscal nature.
Additionally, joint standing committees may raise resolutions
proposing to amend the constitution if the subject matter is
within their cognizance. The Government Administration and
Elections (GAE) Committee has cognizance over constitutional
amendments, and most resolutions proposing a constitutional
amendment are taken up by the GAE Committee. However,
proposed amendments may originate in other committees if
they are within those committees' cognizance. For example,
the constitutional amendment on transportation funding
(approved by voters in 2018) was heard and favorably
reported by the Transportation Committee.
Amending
the State
Constitution
Amendments to the State Constitution
Since 2000
Year
Subject
2008
Voting in primaries by
certain 17-year-olds
2018
Transportation funding
2018
Legislative conveyances
2022
In-person early voting
Learn
More
The Connecticut Constitution, Revised to
January 1, 2021
“Amendments to the Connecticut
Constitution Since the 1955 Revision,”
OLR Report 2022-R-0275
Analyst: Terry Adams
Connecticut General Assembly
860-240-8400 | www.cga.ct.gov/olr
By the Numbers
114
Number of House votes required for a
three-fourths majority
27
Number of Senate votes required for
a three-fourths majority
76
Number of House votes required for a
majority of the membership
19
Number of Senate votes required for
a majority of the membership
Save the Date
November 5, 2024
With one exception, a 2023 resolution proposing a constitutional
amendment must be approved by a three-fourths majority of each chamber's
membership to appear on the 2024 state election ballot.
In 2021, the legislature approved a proposed constitutional amendment on no-
excuse absentee voting, which will be referred to the 2023 General Assembly. If
the resolution passes by a majority of the membership in each chamber, it
would appear on the 2024 state election ballot.
November 3, 2026
A 2023 resolution approved by a majority of each chamber’s membership,
but less than three-fourths, would be referred to the 2025 General Assembly.
If that General Assembly approves the proposed amendment by a majority of
the membership in both houses, the proposed amendment would appear on
the 2026 state election ballot.
House and Senate Action
A resolution approved by at least three-fourths of the membership of each house of the legislature is placed on
the ballot in the next regular state election. A resolution approved by a majority of the membership of each house
but less than three-fourths is referred to the General Assembly session held after the next regular state election,
where it must be approved by majorities in both houses before being placed on the ballot (Conn. Const. Art. XII).
The resolutions are not subject to gubernatorial approval or veto.
If a majority of the electors voting on the proposed amendment vote in the affirmative, the amendment becomes
part of the state constitution.
Constitutional Conventions
The state constitution may also be amended through a constitutional convention, which Connecticut last had in
1965. At least 10 years after the most recent constitutional convention, the General Assembly may, by a vote of
two-thirds of the membership in each chamber (i.e., at least 24 votes in the Senate and 101 in the House),
provide for the convening of a constitutional convention to amend or revise the state constitution.
Additionally, state electors must periodically be asked to vote on whether they want a constitutional convention to
amend or revise the state constitution. The question will next appear on the ballot in 2030 unless the legislature
convenes a convention before then (Conn. Const. Art. XIII).
