Connecticut Constitution
The Connecticut Constitution is the the basic governing document of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It was approved by referendum on 14 December 1965 and proclaimed by the Governor as adopted on 30 December. It is the second constitution that the state has had (although many recognize a third). It consists of 14 articles, and has been amended 30 times.
Earlier Connecticut constitutions
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1638) is considered by many to be the state's first constitution, although it was adopted while the state was still an English colony. The document recognized no allegiance to England but instead an independent government. The Charter of the Colony of Connecticut (1662) officially superseded the Fundamental Orders, but the local government continued operating under the previous rules. Even after the American Revolutionary War, the state retained its same constitution for another 40 years.
It wasn't until the passage of the the first state constitution in 1818 that the colonial charter was abolished, and political ties to England were officially broken. The constitution is also notable for having reversed the earlier Orders and provided the freedom of religion.
On 1 October 1901 Connecticut residents voted nearly 2-to-1 in favor of calling of a constitutional convention to revise the constitution. A convention was held, and a revised constitution was proposed. On 16 June 1902, residents rejected the revised constituion more than 2-to-1.
External links
- Text of the Connecticut constitution, including amendments.
- Text of the Fundamental Orders and colonial charter
- Text of the 1818 Constitution