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“As chief elections official for the state of Connecticut, it is my duty to inform voters that this question will appear on the ballot,” said Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, “however, in my opinion, a convention to amend our state Constitution is not necessary. I support our constitution as written. Any amendments or revisions can be made by the people’s representatives in the General Assembly and then approved by a majority of voters.” Under Article 13th of the Connecticut Constitution, a question on the constitutional convention is required to go on the ballot in the general election of the next even numbered year following the expiration of a 20 year period since the last time voters were asked the question. The last Constitutional Convention in Connecticut took place in 1965, and was called to correct a deeply flawed system of apportioning representatives to the General Assembly which gave large cities such as New Haven and Bridgeport roughly the same number of house seats as small towns such as Union and Beacon Falls. That system was made null and void by the 1964 “One Man, one Vote” case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, Reynolds v. Sims. The last time a constitutional convention question appeared on the Connecticut ballot was 1986, and it was defeated by the voters. Under Connecticut’s Constitution, the convention would be called only if the question is approved by a majority of the voters and its membership and duration are approved by a two-thirds majority in both houses of the General Assembly. Any amendment or revision to the Connecticut Constitution approved by the convention would then need to be ratified by a majority of Connecticut voters in the following general election. Secretary Bysiewicz also reminds voters that including the constitutional convention, there will be two constitutional questions on the ballot on November 4th: allowing 17 year olds to vote in primaries. “I urge all voters to vote yes on the constitutional question before us this fall which would allow 17 year-olds in Connecticut to vote in primaries if they will turn 18 by the general election. This was overwhelmingly approved by the General Assembly and will significantly expand voting rights in our state,” said Bysiewicz. There are two ways to amend the state Constitution: a constitutional convention can be called or an amendment can be approved by three quarters of both houses of the General Assembly and then ratified by a majority of the voters in a general election. © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of NorwalkPlus.com, Norwalk Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. Related Articles: Duff hosts free BBQ for Norwalk & Darien residents at his home - Aug 25, 2008 - 12:21:28 AM Bysiewicz orders audit on voting machines used in primaries - Aug 19, 2008 - 2:14:51 PM Today is primary day and polls are open - Aug 12, 2008 - 10:51:15 AM Patients at West Haven Veterans' Hospital registered to vote - Aug 7, 2008 - 2:39:22 PM Today is the deadline for petitioning candidates to turn in signatures to secure line on November ballot - Aug 6, 2008 - 12:02:32 PM CURRENT HEADLINES: Top of Page
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