Voter Registration
- Connecticut Voter Registration InformationOffice of the Secretary of the State's website for all information regarding voter registration in the State of Connecticut
- Online Voter RegistrationEn español and In English. Online voter registration for the State of Connecticut. Note: In order to register online you must have a current and valid driver's license, learner's permit, or non-driver photo ID issued by the DMV and a signature on file with the DMV.
- Absentee Ballot ProcessInformation regarding the absentee ballot application process in the State of Connecticut. Note: Due to COVID-19, the Legislature has passed Public Act 20-03 which allows anyone in the State of Connecticut to vote via absentee ballot if they want to for the November 2020 election.
- Absentee VotingForms and timelines for absentee voting in Connecticut. Absentee request forms both en español and in English.
Predeceding Documents
- The Warwick Patent, 1632(?)Though the original document no longer exists, the state still holds three contemporary copies dated between 1662 and 1679. Though not an official governing document, the Warwick Patent would go on to be used to establish the legal basis for recognition of the Colony of Connecticut by the English crown.
- Fundamental Orders of 1639Considered the first Constitution written in what would become the United States, the Fundamental Orders were the first governing documents of the Connecticut Colony. They are also the origin of Connecticut's nickname "The Constitution State."
- Charter of Connecticut, 1662This charter granted official colony status to Connecticut as recognized by King Charles II of England and would replace the Fundamental Orders as the official governing document of the colony.
- Constitution of the State of Connecticut, 1818The state's original constitutional document, updated in 1955 to codify its amendments, the 1818 Constitution would be replaced by a new document - Connecticut's current Constitution - in 1965.
Fun Fact
The Legend of the Charter Oak
Following the death of England's King Charles II, his brother King James II attempted to revoke the Royal Charters granted to the New England and New York Colonies. The goal was to establish a single Dominion of New England overseen by a royal official rather than allowing each colony a degree of self governance bestowed in the Charters.
According to legend, when the Royal Governor of the Dominion met with Connecticut's leadership in Hartford, the colonists refused to give up the charter. In the confusion of the debate, and the darkness that settled as candled dimmed, the charter apparently disappeared from the meeting. It was stowed in a White Oak tree where it remained until 1689 when King James II gave up the throne to his daughter Mary Stuart and son-in-law William of Orange during the Glorious Revolution, the Charter was retrieved from the Oak and was restored as the colony, and later state, governing document until the Constitution of 1818 was ratified.
Though it is unclear if the mythology of the charter's hiding is based in fact, the story has solidified itself in state lore with the "Charter Oak" as the official state tree and many locations, businesses, and schools bearing its name.
Activities
- Counties Work | iCivicsLearn how to manage local government by playing a county official responding to citizen requests!
Connecticut Constitution
- Constitution of the State of ConnecticutText of the 1965 Constitution of the State of Connecticut
- Connecticut Constitutional HistoryA guide assembled by the Connecticut State Library to provide an historical overview of the state's Constitution and it's relation to the people of Connecticut.
eBooks
State Constitutional Politics : Governing by Amendment in the American States by ISBN: 9780226532950Publication Date: 2018
Who Represents Me?
- Gov. Ned Lamont
Address:
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford CT 06106
Phone: 800-406-1527
Online: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/Contact/Email-Governor-Lamont - Sen. Catherine OstenAddress:
Legislative Office Building
Room 2700
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-8600
Online: http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/osten-contact - Rep. Kevin RyanAddress:
Legislative Office Building
Room 4108
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-8504
Online: http://www2.housedems.ct.gov/InYourOpinion.asp - Not from Norwich?You can find your own state and federal elected officials using the interactive map above.