This constitution was coded by Trisha Posey and checked by John Wallis on 8/27/2002 It is ready to go. *** CSTART CT 01/01/1955 12/30/1965 *** *** ASTART 9001.0 CT 1955 *** Constitution of 1955 Preamble: The people of Connecticut acknowledging with gratitude, the good providence of God, in having permitted them to enjoy a free government; do, in 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. *** AEND *** *** ASTART 001.00 CT 1955 *** ARTICLE FIRST. DECLARATION OF RIGHTS . *** SSTART 001.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** That the great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, WE DECLARE, SEC. 1. That all men when they form a social compact, are equal in rights; and that no man, or set of men are entitled to exclusive public emoluments or privileges from the community. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 2. That all political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit; and that they have at all times an undeniable and indefeasible right to alter their form of government in such manner as they may think expedient. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 3. The exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination, shall forever be free to all persons in this 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 4. No preference shall be given by law to any Christian sect or mode of worship. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 5. Every citizen may freely speak, write and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 6. No law shall ever be passed to curtail or restrain the liberty of speech or of the press. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 7. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 8. 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 sup- ported by oath or affirmation. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 009.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 9. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have a right to be heard by himself and by counsel; to demand the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted by the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process to obtain witnesses in his favor; and in all prosecutions by indictment or information, a speedy, public trial by an impartial jury. He shall not be compelled to give evidence against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property, but by due course of law. And no person shall be holden to answer for any crime, the punishment of which may be death or imprisonment for life, unless on a presentment or an indictment of a grand jury; except in the land or naval forces, or in the militia when in actual service in time of war, or public danger. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 010.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 10. No person shall be arrested, detained or punished, except in cases clearly warranted by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 011.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 11. The property of no person shall be taken for public use, without just compensation therefor. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 012.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 12. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 013.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 13. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 014.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 14. All prisoners shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses, where the proof is evident, or the presumption great; and 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 015.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 15. No person shall be attainted of treason or felony, by the legislature. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 016.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 16. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 017.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 17. Every citizen has a right to bear arms in defense of himself and the state. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 018.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 18. The military shall, in all cases, and at all times, be in strict subordination to the civil power. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 019.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 19. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 020.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 20. No hereditary emoluments, privileges or honors, shall ever be granted, or conferred in this state. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 021.00 001.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 21. The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 002.00 CT 1955 *** *** SSTART 001.00 002.00 0 CT 1955 *** 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. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 003.00 CT 1955 *** ARTICLE THIRD. OF THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT. *** SSTART 001.00 003.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 1. The legislative power of this 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.00 003.00 0 CT 1955 *** 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 Hartford, but the person administering the office of governor may, in case of special emergency, convene said assembly at any other place in this state. The general assembly shall adjourn sine die not later than the first Wednesday after the first Monday in June following its organization. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.00 003.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 3. The house of representatives shall consist of electors residing in towns from which they are elected. Every town which now contains, or hereafter shall contain a population of five thousand, shall be entitled to send two representatives, and every other one shall be entitled to its present representation in the general assembly. The population of each town shall be determined by the enumeration made under the authority of the census of the United States, next before the election of representatives are held. In case a new town shall hereafter be incorporated, such a new town shall not be entitled to a representative in the general assembly unless it has at least twenty-five hundred inhabitants, and unless the town from which the major portion of its territory is taken, has also at least twenty-five hundred inhabitants, but until such towns shall each have at least twenty-five hundred inhabitants such new town shall for the purpose of representation in the general assembly be attached to and be deemed to be a part of the town from which the major portion of its territory is taken, and it shall be an election district of such town for the purpose of representation in the house of representatives. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.00 003.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 4. The senate shall be composed of not less than twenty-four and not mote than thirty-six members, who shall be elected at the electors' meetings held biennially on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.00 003.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 5. The number of senatorial districts shall not be less than twenty-four nor more than thirty-six, and each district shall elect only one senator. The districts shall always be composed of contiguous territory, and in forming them regard shall be had to population in the several districts, that the same may be as nearly equal as possible under the limitations of this section. Neither the whole or a part of one county shall be joined to the whole or a part of another county to form a district, and no town shall be divided, unless for the purpose of forming more than one district wholly within such town, and each county shall have at least one senator. The districts, as now established by law, shall continue the same until the session of the general assembly next after the completion of the next census of the United States, which general assembly shall have power to alter the same, if found necessary to preserve a proper equality of population in each district, but only in accordance with the principles above recited; after which said districts shall not be altered, nor the number of senators altered, except at a session of the general assembly next after the completion of a census of the United States, and then only in accordance with the principles hereinbefore provided. The persons voted for for senators shall, at the time of such vote, belong to and reside in the respective districts in which they are so voted for. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.00 003.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 6. The treasurer, secretary, and comptroller, for the time being, shall canvass the votes publicly. The person in each district having the highest number of votes for senator shall be declared to be duly elected for such district; but in the event of an equality of votes between two or more persons so voted for, the house of representatives shall designate by ballot which of such persons shall be declared to be duly elected. The return of votes, and the result of the canvass, shall be submitted to the house of representatives, and also to the senate, on the first day of the session of the general assembly; and each house shall be the final judge of the election returns and qualifications of its own members. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.00 003.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 7. 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 said members, and also providing for the election of representatives 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 town shall fail on that day to elect the representative or representatives to which such town shall be by law entitled. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.00 003.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 8. 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 also make duplicate lists of the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each, which shall be certified by the presiding officers; one of which lists shall be delivered to the town clerk, and the other within ten days after said meeting, shall be delivered under seal, either to the secretary, or to the sheriff of the tounty in which said town is situated; which list shall he directed to the secretary, with a superscription expressing the purport of the contents thereof. And each sheriff who shall receive such votes, shall, within fifteen days after said meeting, deliver, or cause them to be delivered to the secretary. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 009.00 003.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 9. 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 succeeding January, and until their successors are duly qualified. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 010.00 003.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 10. The house of representatives when assembled, shall choose a speaker, clerk and other officers. The senate shall choose its 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 011.00 003.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 11. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 012.00 003.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 12. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 013.00 003.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 13. The senators and representatives shall, in all cases of civil process, be privileged from arrest, during the 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 014.00 003.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 14. The debates of each house shall be public, except on such occasions as in the opinion of the house may require secrecy. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 015.00 003.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 15. The salary of the members of the general assembly shall be six hundred dollars for the term for which they are elected, and in addition to such compensation, the general assembly may provide by law for the transportation of each member by public conveyance by the most convenient route between his home station and the place of meeting during the session or sessions of the general assembly to which he was elected. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 004.00 CT 1955 *** ARTICLE FOURTH. OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. *** SSTART 001.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 1. A general election for governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary, treasurer and comptroller shall be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November, 1950, and quadrennially thereafter. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 2. Said 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 3. 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. When such votes shall have been so received and counted, duplicate lists of the persons voted for, and of the number of votes given for each, shall be made and certified by the presiding officers, one of which lists shall be deposited in the office of the town clerk, within three days, and the other, within ten days after said election, shall be transmitted to the secretary, or to the sheriff of the county, in which such election shall have been held. The sheriff receiving said votes shall deliver, or cause them to be delivered to the secretary within fifteen days next after said election. The votes so returned 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 said 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 said 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 4. The supreme executive power of the state shall be vested in the governor. No person who is not an elector of this state, and who has not arrived at the age of thirty years, shall be eligible. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 5. The lieutenant-governor shall possess the same qualifications as are herein prescribed for the governor. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 6. 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 said compensations. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 7. The governor shall be captain general of the militia of the state, except when called into the service of the United States. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 8. He may require information in writing from the officers in the executive department, on any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 009.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 9. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 010.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 10. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 011.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 11. He shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 012.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 12. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 013.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 13. All commissions shall be in the name and by authority of the state of Connecticut; shall be sealed with the state seal, signed by the governor, and attested by the secretary. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 014.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 14. Each bill shall have passed both houses of the general assembly shall be presented to the governor. If he shall approve, 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 to the house in which it originated with the governor's objections, which shall be entered on the journal of the house, which shall proceed to reconsider the bill. If, after such reconsideration, that house shall again pass it, it shall be sent with the objections to the other house, which shall also reconsider it. If approved, it shall be a law and be transmitted to the secretary; but in such cases the votes of both houses 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 if 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 unless the general assembly shall then have adjourned sine die, in which case the bill shall be law unless the governor shall, within fifteen calendar days after the same shall have been presented to him, transmit it to the secretary with his objections, in which case it shall not be a law. Bills may be presented to the governor after the adjournment sine die of the general assembly, and the general assembly may by law consistent with this section regulate the time and method of performing all ministerial acts necessary or incidental to the administration of this section. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 015.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 15. 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. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 016.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 16. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 017.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 17. In case of the death, resignation, refusal to serve, inability to perform the powers and duties of his office, or removal from office of the governor, or of his impeachment or absence from the state, the lieutenant-governor shall exercise the powers and authority appertaining to the office of governor, until another be chosen at the next periodical election for governor, and be duly qualified; or until the disability be removed, or until the governor, impeached or absent, shall be acquitted or return. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 018.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 18. When the government shall be administered by the lieutenant-governor, or he shall be unable to attend as president of the senate, the senate shall elect one of their members, as president pro tempore. And if during the vacancy of the office of governor, the lieutenant-gover- nor shall die, resign, refuse to serve, or be removed from office, or if be shall be impeached, or absent from the state, the president of the senate pro tempore, shall, in like manner, administer the government until he be superseded by a governor or lieutenant-governor. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 019.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 19. If the lieutenant-governor shall be required to administer the government, and shall, while in such administration, die or resign during the recess of the general assembly, it shall be the duty of the secretary, for the time being, to convene the senate for the purpose of choosing a president pro tempore. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 020.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 20. 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 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 021.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 21. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 022.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 22. The secretary 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 023.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 23. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 024.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 24. Sheriffs shall be elected in the several counties, on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November, 1950, 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 025.00 004.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 25, 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. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 005.00 CT 1955 *** ARTICLE FIFTH. OF THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT. *** SSTART 001.00 005.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 1. The judicial power of the state shall be vested in a supreme court of errors, a superior court, and such inferior courts as the general assembly shall, from time to time, ordain and establish: the powers and jurisdiction of which courts shall be defined by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.00 005.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 2. The justices of the peace, for the several towns in this state, shall be appointed by the electors in such towns; and the time and manner of their election, the number for each town, and the period for which shall hold their offices, shall be prescribed by law. They shall have such juris- diction in civil and criminal cases, as the general assembly may prescribe. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.00 005.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 3. The judges of the supreme court of errors and of the superior court shall, upon nomination of the governor, be appointed by the general assembly in such a manner as shall by law be prescribed. They shall hold offices for the term of eight years, but may be removed by impeachment; and the governor shall also remove them on the address of two-thirds of each house of the general assembly. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.00 005.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 4. Judges of the courts of common pleas shall, upon nomination of the governor, be appointed by the general assembly in such manner as shall by law be prescribed, for terms of four years. Judges of the district courts shall be appointed by the general assembly for terms of four years. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.00 005.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 5. Judges of the city courts and police courts shall be appointed for terms of two years. This section shall cease to be effective as a part of this constitution upon the execution by the general assembly of Section 6 of this article by prescribing the term and manner of appointment of judges of minor courts, including town, city, borough and police courts. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.00 005.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 6. The judges of minor courts, including town, city, borough and police courts, shall, upon nomination by the governor, be appointed by the general assembly for such term and in such manner as shall be by law prescribed. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.00 005.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 7. Judges of probate shall be elected by the electors residing in their respective districts on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November, 1950, and quadrennially thereafter, and shall hold office for four years from and after the Wednesday after the first Monday of the next succeeding January. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.00 005.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 8. No judge or justice of the pence shall be capable of holding his office, after he shall arrive at the age of seventy years. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 006.00 CT 1955 *** ARTICLE SIXTH. OF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF ELECTORS. *** SSTART 001.00 006.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 1. Every citizen of the United States, who shall have attained the age of twenty-one years, who shall have resided in this state for a term of one year next preceding, and in the town in which he may offer himself to be admitted to the privileges of an elector, at least six months next preceding the time he may so offer himself, and shall be able to read in the English language any article of the constitution or any section of the statutes of this state, and shall sustain a good moral character, shall, on his taking such oath as may be prescribed by law, be an elector. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.00 006.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 2. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.00 006.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 3. Every elector shall be eligible to any office in this state, except in cases provided for in this constitution. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.00 006.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 4. The selectmen and town clerks or an assistant town clerk of the several towns, shall decide on the qualifications of electors, at such times and in such manner as prescribed by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.00 006.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 5. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.00 006.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 6. The general assembly shall have power to provide by law for voting by qualified voters of the state who are absent from the city or town of which they are inhabitants at the time of an election or because of sickness or physical disability are unable to appear at the polling places on the day of election, in the choice of any officer to be elected or upon any question to be voted on at such election. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.00 006.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 7. 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 he used in all elections in this state, under such regulations as may be prescribed by law; provided, however, that the right of secret voting shall be preserved. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.00 006.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 8. 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. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 007.00 CT 1955 *** ARTICLE SEVENTH. OF RELIGION. *** SSTART 001.00 007.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC.1. It being the duty of all men to worship the Supreme Being, the Great Creator and Preserver of the Universe, and their right to render that worship, in the mode most consistent with the dictates if their consciences; no person shall by law be compelled to join or support, nor be classed with, or associated to, any congregation, church or religious, association. But every person now belonging to such congregation, church, or religious association shall remain a member thereof until he shall have separated himself therefrom, in the manner hereinafter provided. And each and every society or denomination of Christians in this state, shall have and enjoy the same and equal powers, rights and privileges; and shall power and authority to support and maintain the ministers or teachers of their respective denominations, and to build and repair houses for public worship, by a tax on the members of any such society only, to be laid by a major vote of the legal voters assembled at any society meeting, warned and held according to law, or in any other manner. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.00 007.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 2. If any person shall choose to separate himself from the society or denomination of Christians to which he may belong, and shall leave a written notice thereof with the clerk of such society, he shall thereupon be no longer liable for any future expenses which may be incurred by the said society. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 008.00 CT 1955 *** ARTICLE EIGHTH. OF EDUCATION. *** SSTART 001.00 008.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 1. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.00 008.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 2. - 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, or common schools throughout the state, and for the equal benefit of all the people thereof. The value and amount of said fund shall, as soon as practicable, 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 said fund to be diverted to any other use than the encouragement and support of public, or common schools, among the several school societies, as justice and equity shall require. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 009.00 CT 1955 *** ARTICLE NINTH. OF IMPEACHMENTS. *** SSTART 001.00 009.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 1. The house of representatives shall have the sole power of impeaching. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.00 009.00 0 CT 1955 *** 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 two-thirds of the members present. When the governor is impeached, the chief justice shall preside. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.00 009.00 0 CT 1955 *** 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 this state. The party convicted, shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to indictment, trial, and punishment according to law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.00 009.00 0 CT 1955 *** 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 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. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 010.00 CT 1955 *** ARTICLE TENTH. GENERAL PROVISIONS. *** SSTART 001.00 010.00 0 CT 1955 *** 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.00 010.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 2. Each town shall, annually or biennially, as the electors of the town may determine, elect selectmen and such officers of local police as the laws may prescribe. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.00 010.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 3. No county, city, town, borough, or other municipality, shall ever subscribe to the capital stock of any railroad corporation, or become a purchaser of the bonds, or make donation to, or loan its credit, directly or indirectly, in aid of any such corporation; but nothing herein contained shall affect the validity of any bonds or debts incurred under existing laws, nor be construed to prohibit the general assembly from authorizing any town or city to protect by additional appropriations of money or credit, any railroad debt contracted prior to October 19, 1877. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.00 010.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 4. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.00 010.00 0 CT 1955 *** 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 judicial, civil and military officers now in office, shall continue, to hold their offices until their terms of office shall expire, or until they shall resign, or be removed from office according to law. 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. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.00 010.00 0 CT 1955 *** SEC. 6. No judge of the superior court, or of the supreme court of errors; no member of congress; no person holding any office under the authority of the United States; no person holding the office of treasurer, secretary, or comptroller; no sheriff, or sheriff's deputy, shall be a member of the general assembly. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 011.00 CT 1955 *** *** SSTART 001.00 011.00 0 CT 1955 *** ARTICLE ELEVENTH. OF AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION. Whenever a majority of the house of representatives shall deem it necessary to alter,or amend this constitution, they may propose such alterations and amendments; which proposed amendments shall be continued to the next general assembly, and be published with the laws which may have been passed at the same session; and if two-thirds of each house, at the next session of said assembly, shall approve the amendments proposed, by yeas and nays, said amendments shall, by the secretary, be transmitted to the town clerk in each town in the state; whose duty it shall be to present the same to the inhabitants thereof, for their consideration, at a town meeting, legally warned and held for that purpose; and if it shall appear in a manner to be provided by law, that a majority of the electors present at such meetings, shall have approved such amendments, the same shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as a part of this constitution. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 012.00 CT 1955 *** *** SSTART 001.00 012.00 0 CT 1955 *** ARTICLE TWELFTH. Articles first to eleventh, inclusive, of the constitution and articles I to XLVII, inclusive, of the amendments thereto are repealed. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 013.00 CT 1955 *** *** SSTART 001.00 013.00 0 CT 1955 *** ARTICLE THIRTEENTH. OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS CONSTITUTION. This constitution shall be effective as of January 1, 1955, but any amendment to the existing constitution which becomes effective subsequent to September 1, 1951, shall have the same effect as though it were expressly made an amendment to this constitution. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** MSTART 001 001.00 011.00 0 CT 1955 1955 *** AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION 1955 ARTICLE I [OF AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION]  1. PROCEDURE FOR PROPOSING AND APPROVING AMENDMENTS Whenever a majority of the total membership of the house of representatives shall deem it necessary to alter or amend this constitution, they may propose such alterations and amendments, which proposed amendments shall be continued to the next general assembly and be published with the laws which may have been passed at the same session; and if two-thirds of the membership present of each house, at the next session of said assembly, shall approve the amendments proposed, by yeas and nays, said amendments shall, by the secretary, be transmitted to the town clerk in each town in this state, whose duty it shall be to present the same to the inhabitants thereof, for their consideration, at a town meeting, legally warned and held for that purpose; and if it shall appear, in a manner to be provided by law, that a majority of the electors present and voting on such amendments at such meetings shall have approved such amendments, the same shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as a part of this constitution. (As amended Nov. 3, 1964.) [Adopted August 22, 1955.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 002 001.00 011.00 0 CT 1955 1955 ***  2 REPEAL OF ARTICLE ELEVENTH SEC. 2. Article eleventh of the constitution is repealed. [Adopted August 5, 1955.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 003 001.00 9099.0 0 CT 1955 1955 *** ARTICLE II [PERSONS EXCLUDED FROM MEMBERSHIP IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY . ]  1. LEGISLATIVE OFFICE, PERSONS EXCLUDED SEC. 1. 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 departments 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 United States and no person holding any office in the judicial or executive department of the state government or in the government of any county shall be a member of the general assembly during his continuance in such office. [Adopted August 5, 1955.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 004 006.00 010.00 0 CT 1955 1955 ***  2. REPEAL OF SECTION 6 OF ARTICLE TENTH. SEC. 2. Section 6 of Article tenth of the constitution is repealed. [Adopted August 5, 1955.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 005 007.00 010.00 0 CT 1955 1958 *** ARTICLE III [AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE TENTH] SEC. 1. Article tenth of the constitution is amended by adding section 7 as follows: Claims against the state shall be resolved in such manner as may be provided by law. [Adopted November 20, 1958.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 006 015.00 003.00 0 CT 1955 1958 *** ARTICLE IV [AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE THIRD, SECTION 15] SEC. 1. Section 15 of Article third of the constitution is amended to read as follows: 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. [Adopted November 20, 1958.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 007 001.00 011.00 0 CT 1955 1962 *** ARTICLE V [AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE I OF THE AMENDMENTS] Article I of the amendments to the constitution is amended by adding thereto the following: SEC. 3. For purposes of section I of this article, electors voting by absentee ballot under the provisions of the statutes shall be considered to be present and voting. [Adopted November 6, 1962.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 008 004.00 006.00 0 CT 1955 1962 *** ARTICLE VI [AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE SIXTH, SECTION 4] Section 4 of Article Sixth is amended to read as follows: The qualifications of electors shall be decided at such times and in such manner as may be prescribed by law. [Adopted on November 6, 1962.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 009 002.00 9099.0 0 CT 1955 1962 *** ARTICLE VII [ELECTION OF GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR] In the election of governor and lieutenant-governor, voting for said 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. [Adopted on November 6, 1962.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 010 003.00 9099.0 0 CT 1955 1962 *** ARTICLE VIII [PRIVILEGES OF ELECTORS IN TOWNS THROUGHOUT THE STATE] 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. [Adopted on November 6, 1962.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 011 004.00 9099.0 0 CT 1955 1962 *** ARTICLE IX. [ADMISSION AS ELECTORS IN ABSENTIA OF SERVICEMEN AND RELATED GROUPS]. The general assembly may by law provide 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 Untied States, and the spouses and dependents of such persons. [Adopted on November 6, 1962.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 012 001.00 011.00 0 CT 1955 1964 *** ARTICLE X. [VOTING REQUIREMENTS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION] Section 1 of Article 1 of the Amendments to the Constitution is amended to read as follows: Whenever a majority of the total membership of the house if representatives shall deem it necessary to alter or amend this constitution, they may propose such alterations and amendments, which proposed amendments shall be continued to the next general assembly and be published with the laws which may have been passed at the same session; and if two-thirds of the membership present of each house, at the next session of said assembly, shall approve the amendments proposed, by yeas and nays, said amendments shall, by the secretary, be transmitted to the town clerk in each town in this state, whose duty it shall be to present the same to the inhabitants thereof, for their consideration, at a town meeting, legally warned and held for that purpose; and if it shall appear, in a manner to be provided by law, that a majority of the electors present and voting on such amendments at such meetings shall have approved such amendments, the same shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as a part of this constitution. [Adopted November 3, 1964.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 013 005.00 9099.0 0 CT 1955 1964 *** ARTICLE XI [RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS OF ELECTORS]. 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 this state, and who sustains a good moral character, shall, on his taking such oath as may be prescribed by law, be an elector. [Adopted on November 3, 1964.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 014 006.00 9099.0 0 CT 1955 1964 *** ARTICLE XII [VOTING OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS ON RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS] SEC. 1. 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. [Adopted November 3, 1964.] *** MEND *** *** MSTART 015 006.00 006.00 0 CT 1955 1964 *** SEC. 2. Section 6 of Article Sixth of the constitution is repealed. [Adopted on November 3, 1964.] *** MEND *** *** CEND ***