Laws governing ballot measures in Connecticut

In Connecticut, the path to getting a statewide ballot measure on the ballot is laid out in Article XII of the Connecticut Constitution.

There are three ways to place a statewide constitutional amendment before the state's voters:

1. 75% of the membership of both houses of the Connecticut State Legislature must approve doing so.
2. A majority of both houses must approve doing so, in two consecutive legislative sessions.
3. Convene a constitutional convention.

Such constitutional amendments may only be voted on in November elections of even-numbered years. Once an amendment is on the ballot, it is considered to be part of the constitution if approved by a simple majority of those voting on it.

Constitutional convention

See also: Constitutional conventions

Article XIII of the Connecticut Constitution also allows the Connecticut State Legislature, by a vote of 2/3, to call a constitutional convention once every ten years. If the legislature decides to call a constitutional convention, their first step is to place before the voters, statewide, a question that says, "Shall there be a Constitutional Convention to amend or revise the constitution of the State?".

If the Constitutional Convention is approved, and the convention meets and decides on one or more new constitutional amendments, those amendments are then placed on a statewide ballot "no later than two months after the final adjournment" of the convention. A simple majority in favor of the amendments causes them to become part of the constitution.

See also

• Local ballot measures, Connecticut
• Laws governing local ballot measures in Connecticut
• Amending the Connecticut Constitution
• School bond and tax elections in Connecticut
• Connecticut signature requirements
• Campaign finance requirements for Connecticut ballot measures

External links

• How the state legislature puts a statewide ballot measure on the ballot