The Connecticut Constitution, 1965-2008:
Legislative History of Amendments
The current constitution was adopted in 1965 and has been amended 31 times. Constitutional amendment is a two-step process: the legislature must first pass a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment by a ¾ majority in each chamber and then submit that resolution to the popular vote for ratification in the next election.
The table below includes links to each legislative history in the Title column. The print materials are available in the Law & Legislative Reference Unit. Please see our research guide about Connecticut Constitutional History for additional information.
| Amendment Article | Year & Resolution | Title (links to legislative history) | Date Adopted & Popular Vote Totals | Constitution Article & Section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | 1969 HJR 95 | Election of Attorney General. | November 25, 1970 499,505 to 91,260 | IV, Sect. 1 |
| II, sec. 1 | 1969 HJR 26 | Minimum age requirement for senate set at 21. | November 25, 1970 471,516 to 130,178 | III, Sect. 3 |
| II, sec. 2 | 1969 HJR 26 | Minimum age requirement for representatives set at 21. | November 25, 1970 471,516 to 130,178 | III, Sect. 4 |
| II, sec. 3 | 1969 HJR 26 | Eligibility for office set at 21 years of age. | November 25, 1970 471,516 to 130,178 | VI, Sect. 10 |
| III | 1969 HJR 160 | Annual sessions of the General Assembly. | November 25, 1970 455,483 to 140,320 | III, Sect. 2 |
| IV | 1971 HJR 83 | Challenges & number of jurors. | December 22, 1972 381,895 to 156,092 | I, Sect. 19 |
| V | 1972 HJR 4 | Discrimination on account of sex. | November 27, 1974 460,711 to 135,427 | I, Sect. 20 |
| VI | 1972 HJR 9 | Method of proposing and approving constitutional amendments. | November 27, 1974 398,029 to 116,495 | XII |
| VII | 1973 HJR 37 | Forfeiture of electoral privileges upon conviction. | November 27, 1974 357,179 to 152,665 | VI, Sect. 3 |
| VIII, sec. 1 | 1973 SJR 22 | Justices of the Peace. Repealed. | November 27, 1974 301,707 to 236,692 | V, Sect. 5 |
| VIII, sec. 2 | 1973 SJR 22 | Age limitation of judges. Exception. | November 27, 1974 301,707 to 236,692 | V, Sect. 6 |
| IX | 1975 HJR 48 | Lowers age of electors to 18 and relaxes qualifications. | November 24, 1976 545,281 to 119,533 | VI, Sect. 1 |
| X | 1975 HJR 51 | Preregistration of 17-year-old citizens to vote. | November 24, 1976 393,819 to 301,751 | VI, Sect. 11 |
| XI | 1976 HJR 44 | Judicial censure, removal or suspension. Judicial Review Council. | November 24, 1976 527,198 to 133,860 | V |
| XII | 1976 SJR 5 | Supreme Court to have original jurisdiction for review of Decennial Reapportionment | November 24, 1976 499,448 to 134,245 | III, Sect. 6 |
| XIII | 1979 HJR 92 | Removal to another town. Repealed. | November 26, 1980 441,087 to 225,096 | VI, Sect. 9 |
| XIV | 1979 SJR 69 | Changes to the voter registration period for preregistering 17-year-olds. | November 26, 1980 370,326 to 326,503 | VI, Sect. 11 |
| XV, sec. 1 | 1979 HJR 103 | Age requirement for senators lowered to 18. | November 26, 1980 357,845 to 320,945 | III, Sect. 3 |
| XV, sec. 2 | 1979 HJR 103 | Age requirement for Representatives lowered to 18. | November 26, 1980 357,845 to 320,945 | III, Sect. 4 |
| XV, sec. 3 | 1979 HJR 103 | Eligibility for office lowered to 18. | November 26, 1980 357,845 to 320,945 | VI, Sect. 10 |
| XVI, sec. 1 | 1980 HJR 3 | Reapportionment. Congressional and General Assembly districts to be consistent with federal standards. | November 26, 1980 414,907 to 203,837 | III, Sect. 5 |
| XVI, sec. 2 | 1980 HJR 3 | Supreme Court review period shortened and timetable extended for Decennial Reapportionment. | November 26, 1980 414,907 to 203,837 | III, Sect. 6 |
| XVII | 1981 HJR 36 | Grand Jury for Capital Offenses. | November 24, 1982 437,231 to 157,080 | I, Sect. 8 |
| XVIII | 1981 HJR 64 | Delegation of regulatory authority. Disapproval of administrative regulations. | November 24, 1982 392,606 to 167,570 | II |
| XIX | 1981 HJR 46 | Extra compensation to elected officials and public contractors prohibited; exception. | November 24, 1982 322,557 to 241,597 | XI, Sect. 2 |
| XX | 1981 HJR 95 | Creation of the Appellate Court. | November 24, 1982 387,116 to 156,257 | V, Sect. 1-2 |
| XXI | 1983 HJR 47 | Disability Discrimination. | November 28, 1984 637,754 to 180,955 | I, Sect. 20 |
| XXII | 1984 HJR 3 | When to succeed and act as Governor. | November 28, 1984 713,791 to 95,116 | IV, Sect. 18 |
| XXIII | 1984 HJR 35 | Appointment of State's Attorneys by a Criminal Justice Commission. | November 28, 1984 554,953 to 208,631 | IV |
| XXIV | 1985 HJR 9 | Prohibit the use of the party lever in any state or local election. | November 19, 1986 302,899 to 297,827 | VI, Sect. 5 |
| XXV | 1985 SJR 65 | Selection, nomination, appointment and removal of judges. Judicial Selection Commission. | November 19, 1986 396,555 to 192,180 | V, Sect. 2 |
| XXVI | June Special Session 1990 SJR 201 | Supreme Court Review timetable extended. | November 28, 1990 288,609 to 244,964 | III, Sect. 6 |
| XXVII | 1991 HJR 22 | Absentee admission of electors. | November 25, 1992 708,030 to 260,885 | VI, Sect. 8 |
| XXVIII | June 5 Special Session 1991 HJR 205 | Spending Cap. | November 25, 1992 829,868 to 195,630 | III, Sect. 18 |
| XXIX | 1996 SJR 13 | Crime victims’ rights. | November 27, 1996 656,223 to 179,882 | I, Sect. 8 |
| XXX | 2000 SJR 15 | Election of Sheriffs. Repealed. | November 29, 2000 585,155 to 307,275 | IV, Sect. 25 |
| XXXI | 2008 HJR 21 | Permits registered 17-year-olds to vote in primaries. | November 26, 2008 900,491 to 508,396 | VI, Sect. 11 |