Constitution of Connecticut (2025 publisher edition) — Article FOURTH

Publisher edition notice: The publisher identifies this compilation as revised to January 1, 2025. It preserves the annotated original 1965 text and all ratified amendments, alongside the Revisors' unofficial convenience version incorporating extant amendments. The latter does not supersede the original Constitution and amendments; later changes have not been independently verified.

Article FOURTH Revisors’ compilation incorporating extant amendments; publisher convenience version.

ARTICLE FOURTH.
OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
(State officers, election date.)
Sec. 1. A general election for governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary of the state,
treasurer, comptroller and attorney general shall be held on the Tuesday after the first
Monday of November, 1974, and quadrennially thereafter.
Historical Note: This section, as printed here, incorporates Article I., of the Amendments to the Constitution of the
State of Connecticut. Said Article I., was adopted on November 25, 1970, and required election of an attorney general at
the November 1974 election and quadrennially thereafter.
(Terms of officers.)
Sec. 2. Such officers shall hold their respective offices from the Wednesday follow-
ing 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.
(Governor and lieutenant-governor voted for as unit.)
Sec. 3. In the election of governor and lieutenant-governor, voting for such 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 con-
junction with the name of the candidate for the other office.

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258 CODIFIED CONSTITUTION Art. IV
INCORPORATING ALL EXTANT AMENDMENTS
OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
(Counting of votes. Return of votes. Canvass and declaration of votes. Choice
by general assembly, when and how made.)
Sec. 4. The votes at the election of state officers shall be counted and declared in open
meeting by the presiding officers in the several towns. The presiding officers shall make
and certify duplicate lists of the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each. One
list shall be delivered within three days to the town clerk, and within ten days after such
meeting, the other shall be delivered to the secretary of the state. The votes so delivered
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 such 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 such 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.
Historical Note: This section, as printed here, incorporates Article XXXIV., of the Amendments to the Constitution
of the State of Connecticut. Said Article XXXIV., was adopted on November 30, 2022, and replaced “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.” with “The votes at
the election of state officers shall be counted and declared in open meeting by the presiding officers in the several towns.”
and deleted “under seal”.
(Governor. Qualifications.)
Sec. 5. The supreme executive power of the state shall be vested in the governor. No
person who is not an elector of the state, and who has not arrived at the age of thirty
years, shall be eligible.
(Lieutenant-governor, qualifications.)
Sec. 6. The lieutenant-governor shall possess the same qualifications as are herein
prescribed for the governor.
(Compensation of governor and lieutenant-governor.)
Sec. 7. The compensations of the governor and lieutenant-governor shall be estab-
lished 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 such compensations.

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Art. IV CODIFIED CONSTITUTION 259
OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
INCORPORATING ALL EXTANT AMENDMENTS
(Governor to command militia.)
Sec. 8. The governor shall be captain general of the militia of the state, except when
called into the service of the United States.
(Governor may require information.)
Sec. 9. He may require information in writing from the officers in the executive
department, on any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices.
(Power to adjourn general assembly.)
Sec. 10. 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.
(Information and recommendations to general assembly.)
Sec. 11. 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.
(Faithful execution of laws.)
Sec. 12. He shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.
(Reprieves after conviction.)
Sec. 13. 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.
(Commissions to be in name and by authority of state.)
Sec. 14. All commissions shall be in the name and by authority of the state of Con-
necticut; shall be sealed with the state seal, signed by the governor, and attested by the
secretary of the state.
(Powers and duties of governor in relation to bills. Presentation to governor
after adjournment. Procedure on veto.)
Sec. 15. Each bill which shall have passed both houses of the general assembly
shall be presented to the governor. Bills may be presented to the governor after the
adjournment of the general assembly, and the general assembly may prescribe the time
and method of performing all ministerial acts necessary or incidental to the adminis-
tration of this section. If the governor shall approve a bill, 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 with the
governor’s objections to the house in which it originated. After the objections shall
have been entered on its journal, such house shall proceed to reconsider the bill. If,
after such reconsideration, that house shall again pass it, but by the approval of at least
two-thirds of its members, it shall be sent with the objections to the other house, which
shall also reconsider it. If approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the second
house, it shall be a law and be transmitted to the secretary; but in such case the votes of
each house 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 of 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; except that, if the general assembly shall then have adjourned any regular

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260 CODIFIED CONSTITUTION Art. IV
INCORPORATING ALL EXTANT AMENDMENTS
OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
or special session, the bill shall be a law unless the governor shall, within fifteen cal-
endar days after the same has been presented to him, transmit it to the secretary with
his objections, in which case it shall not be a law unless such bill is reconsidered and
repassed by the general assembly by at least a two-thirds vote of the members of each
house of the general assembly at the time of its reconvening.
(Veto of separate items in appropriation bills.)
Sec. 16. 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 approv-
ing 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 of the state. 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 pre-
scribed for legislative action in respect to bills which have received executive disapproval.
(Lieutenant-governor, president of senate.)
Sec. 17. 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.
(Permanent or temporary transfer of governor’s authority, powers and duties
to lieutenant-governor. Council on gubernatorial incapacity.)
Sec. 18. a. In case of the death, resignation, refusal to serve or removal from office
of the governor, the lieutenant-governor shall, upon taking the oath of office of gov-
ernor, be governor of the state until another is chosen at the next regular election for
governor and is duly qualified.
b. In case of the impeachment of the governor or of his absence from the state,
the lieutenant-governor shall exercise the powers and authority and perform the duties
appertaining to the office of governor until, if the governor has been impeached, he is
acquitted or, if absent, he has returned.
c. Whenever the governor transmits to the lieutenant-governor his written declara-
tion that he is unable to exercise the powers and perform the duties of his office, and
until the governor transmits to the lieutenant-governor a written declaration to the
contrary, the lieutenant-governor shall exercise the powers and authority and perform
the duties appertaining to the office of governor as acting governor.
d. In the absence of a written declaration of incapacity by the governor, whenever
the lieutenant-governor or a majority of the members of the council on gubernatorial
incapacity transmits to the council on gubernatorial incapacity a written declaration
that the governor is unable to exercise the powers and perform the duties of his office,
the council shall convene within forty-eight hours after the receipt of such written dec-
laration to determine if the governor is unable to exercise the powers and perform the
duties of his office. If the council, within fourteen days after it is required to convene,
determines by two-thirds vote that the governor is unable to exercise the powers and

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Art. IV CODIFIED CONSTITUTION 261
OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
INCORPORATING ALL EXTANT AMENDMENTS
perform the duties of his office, it shall transmit a written declaration to that effect to
the president pro tempore of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives
and to the lieutenant-governor and the lieutenant-governor, upon receipt of such dec-
laration, shall exercise the powers and authority and discharge the duties appertaining
to the office of the governor as acting governor; otherwise, the governor shall continue
to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of his office. Upon receipt by the presi-
dent pro tempore of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives of such
a written declaration from the council, the general assembly shall, in accordance with
its rules, decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not
in session. If the general assembly, within twenty-one days after receipt of the written
declaration or, if the general assembly is not in session, within twenty-one days after
the general assembly is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of each
house that the governor is unable to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of
his office, the lieutenant-governor shall continue to exercise the powers and authority
and perform the duties appertaining to the office of governor; otherwise, the governor
shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
e. In the absence of a written declaration of incapacity by the governor and in an
emergency, when the governor is unable to exercise the powers and perform the duties
of his office and the business of the state requires the immediate exercise of those
powers and performance of those duties, the lieutenant-governor shall transmit to the
council on gubernatorial incapacity a written declaration to that effect and thereupon
shall exercise the powers and authority and discharge the duties appertaining to the
office of governor as acting governor. The council shall convene or the members of
the council shall otherwise communicate with each other collectively within twenty-
four hours after the receipt of such written declaration to determine if the governor is
unable to exercise the powers and perform the duties of his office. If the council, within
fourteen days after it is required to convene, determines by two-thirds vote that the
governor is unable to exercise the powers and perform the duties of his office, it shall
transmit a written declaration to that effect to the president pro tempore of the senate
and the speaker of the house of representatives and to the lieutenant-governor and the
lieutenant-governor shall continue to exercise the powers and authority and perform
the duties appertaining to the office of governor as acting governor; otherwise, the
governor shall resume the powers and duties of his office. Upon receipt by the presi-
dent pro tempore of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives of such
a written declaration from the council, the general assembly shall, in accordance with
its rules, decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not
in session. If the general assembly, within twenty-one days after receipt of the written
declaration or, if the general assembly is not in session, within twenty-one days after
the general assembly is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of each
house that the governor is unable to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of
his office, the lieutenant-governor shall continue to exercise the powers and authority
and perform the duties appertaining to the office of governor; otherwise, the governor
shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
f. Whenever the governor transmits to the president pro tempore of the senate and
the speaker of the house of representatives his written declaration that no inability
exists he shall resume the powers and duties of his office upon the determination by a
majority vote of each house of the general assembly, in accordance with its rules, that
he is able to exercise the powers and perform the duties of his office.

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262 CODIFIED CONSTITUTION Art. IV
INCORPORATING ALL EXTANT AMENDMENTS
OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
g. There shall be a council on gubernatorial incapacity, the membership, proce-
dures and terms of office of the members of which the general assembly shall establish
by law.
h. The supreme court shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction to adjudicate
disputes or questions arising under this section.
Historical Note: This section, as printed here, incorporates Article XXII., of the Amendments to the Constitution of
the State of Connecticut. Said Article XXII., was adopted on November 28, 1984, and designated existing provisions as
subsections a. and b., removing reference to the governor’s inability “to exercise the powers and perform the duties of his
office”, which condition is more fully detailed in new provisions designated as subsections c. to f., inclusive, and added
provisions re council on gubernatorial incapacity and supreme court jurisdiction.
(When president pro tempore to become lieutenant-governor or act as
lieutenant-governor.)
Sec. 19. If the lieutenant-governor succeeds to the office of governor, or if the lieu-
tenant-governor dies, resigns, refuses to serve or is removed from office, the president
pro tempore of the senate shall, upon taking the oath of office of lieutenant-governor,
be lieutenant-governor of the state until another is chosen at the next regular election
for lieutenant-governor and is duly qualified. Within fifteen days of the administration
of such oath the senate, if the general assembly is in session, shall elect one of its
members president pro tempore. In case of the inability of the lieutenant-governor to
exercise the powers and perform the duties of his office or in case of his impeachment
or absence from the state, the president pro tempore of the senate shall exercise the
powers and authority and perform the duties appertaining to the office of lieuten-
ant-governor until the disability is removed or, if the lieutenant-governor has been
impeached, he is acquitted or, if absent, he has returned.
(Election of president pro tempore when general assembly in recess.)
Sec. 20. If, while the general assembly is not in session, there is a vacancy in the
office of president pro tempore of the senate, the secretary of the state shall within
fifteen days convene the senate for the purpose of electing one of its members presi-
dent pro tempore.
(Death or failure to qualify of governor-elect.)
Sec. 21. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the governor, the gover-
nor-elect shall have died or shall have failed to qualify, the lieutenant-governor-elect,
after taking the oath of office of lieutenant-governor, 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 accord-
ingly until a governor or a lieutenant-governor shall have qualified.
(Treasurer, duties.)
Sec. 22. The treasurer shall receive all moneys 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.
(Secretary, duties.)
Sec. 23. The secretary of the state 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

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Art. V CODIFIED CONSTITUTION 263
OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
INCORPORATING ALL EXTANT AMENDMENTS
prescribed by law. He shall be the keeper of the seal of the state, which shall not be
altered.
(Comptroller, duties.)
Sec. 24. 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.
(Sheriffs for the several counties.)
Sec. 25. Repealed.
Historical Note: This section was repealed by Article XXX., Sec. 1, of the Amendments to the Constitution of the
State of Connecticut. Said Article XXX., Sec. 1, was adopted on November 29, 2000. This section had provided for the
quadrennial election of sheriffs in the several counties, and for their bonding, removal from office, and for the filling of
vacancies.
(Accounts of the state to be published.)
Sec. 26. 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.
(Division of criminal justice. Appointment of state’s attorneys by a criminal
justice commission.)
Sec. 27. There shall be established within the executive department a division of
criminal justice which shall be in charge of the investigation and prosecution of all
criminal matters. Said division shall include the chief state’s attorney, who shall be
its administrative head, and the state’s attorneys for each judicial district, which dis-
tricts shall be established by law. The prosecutorial power of the state shall be vested
in a chief state’s attorney and the state’s attorney for each judicial district. The chief
state’s attorney shall be appointed as prescribed by law. There shall be a commission
composed of the chief state’s attorney and six members appointed by the governor
and confirmed by the general assembly, two of whom shall be judges of the superior
court. Said commission shall appoint a state’s attorney for each judicial district and
such other attorneys as prescribed by law.
Historical Note: This section, as printed here, was added by Article XXIII., of the Amendments to the Constitution of
the State of Connecticut and designated as “Sec. 27” by the Revisors. Said Article XXIII., was adopted on November 28,
1984, and established a division of criminal justice within the executive department and provided for the appointment of
state’s attorneys by a criminal justice commission.

Article FOURTH Original 1965 text and publisher annotations; retained historical context.

ARTICLE FOURTH.*
OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
* Cited. 175 C. 586.
Cited. 11 CS 489; 41 CS 525.
(State officers, election date.)
Sec. 1. 1 A general election for governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary of the state,
treasurer and comptroller shall be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday of
November, 1966, and quadrennially thereafter.
1 Amended by Article I., of the Amendments to the Constitution of the State of Connecticut.
(Terms of officers.)
Sec. 2. Such officers shall hold their respective offices from the Wednesday follow-
ing 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.
(Governor and lieutenant-governor voted for as unit.)
Sec. 3. In the election of governor and lieutenant-governor, voting for such 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 con-
junction with the name of the candidate for the other office.
(Counting of votes. Return of votes. Canvass and declaration of votes. Choice
by general assembly, when and how made.)
Sec. 4.1 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. The
presiding officers shall make and certify duplicate lists of the persons voted for, and of
the number of votes for each. One list shall be delivered within three days to the town
clerk, and within ten days after such meeting, the other shall be delivered under seal
to the secretary of the state. The votes so delivered 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 elec-
tion, to have received the greatest number of votes for each of such offices, respectively,
shall be elected thereto; provided, if the election of any of them shall be contested as

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Art. IV CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT 173
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 comptrol-
ler 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 bal-
loting 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 such officers.
The general assembly shall by law prescribe the manner in which all questions concern-
ing the election of a governor or lieutenant-governor shall be determined.
1 Amended by Article XXXIV., of the Amendments to the Constitution of the State of Connecticut.
The legislature cannot authorize electors to vote for state officers in any place other than as prescribed. 30 C. 591. Electors’
meetings must be held at the time named in the constitution. Id., 603. A joint declaration of the result of the election is indispen-
sable. 61 C. 359–366. The particular procedure prescribed by the constitution must be followed. Id., 366; 62 C. 284. The direc-
tion to proceed to choose on the second day of the session prohibits a choice at a later day. 61 C. 366–374, but see 62 C. 284.
(Governor. Qualifications.)
Sec. 5. 1 The supreme executive power of the state shall be vested in the governor.
No person who is not an elector of the state, and who has not arrived at the age of thirty
years, shall be eligible.
1 If no successor has been elected, the governor then in office remains the de jure as well as de facto governor. 61 C.
359. Cited. 200 C. 386.
(Lieutenant-governor, qualifications.)
Sec. 6. The lieutenant-governor shall possess the same qualifications as are herein
prescribed for the governor.
(Compensation of governor and lieutenant-governor.)
Sec. 7. The compensations of the governor and lieutenant-governor shall be estab-
lished 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 such compensations.
(Governor to command militia.)
Sec. 8. The governor shall be captain general of the militia of the state, except when
called into the service of the United States.
(Governor may require information.)
Sec. 9. He may require information in writing from the officers in the executive
department, on any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices.
(Power to adjourn general assembly.)
Sec. 10.1 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.
1 Whether governor had right to adjourn general assembly, quaere. 135 C. 655.
(Information and recommendations to general assembly.)
Sec. 11. 1 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.
1 Cited. 220 C. 584; 232 C. 345.

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174 CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT Art. IV
(Faithful execution of laws.)
Sec. 12.1 He shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.
1 Appointment of state’s attorneys by the judges of the superior court does not violate the doctrine of separation of
powers. 180 C. 662. Cited. 200 C. 386.
This section does not preclude appointment of state’s attorneys by superior court. 28 CS 252. Appointment of state’s
attorneys by judges of superior court not violation of section. Id., 366.
(Reprieves after conviction.)
Sec. 13.1 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.
1 Limitation on period during which reprieve may operate runs from time it is issued, not from day of conviction. 124
C. 121. “Next” refers, not to session in existence when reprieve is granted, but to one which begins thereafter. Id., 124.
(Commissions to be in name and by authority of state.)
Sec. 14. All commissions shall be in the name and by authority of the state of Con-
necticut; shall be sealed with the state seal, signed by the governor, and attested by the
secretary of the state.
(Powers and duties of governor in relation to bills. Presentation to governor
after adjournment. Procedure on veto.)
Sec. 15.1 Each bill which shall have passed both houses of the general assembly
shall be presented to the governor. Bills may be presented to the governor after the
adjournment of the general assembly, and the general assembly may prescribe the time
and method of performing all ministerial acts necessary or incidental to the adminis-
tration of this section. If the governor shall approve a bill, 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 with the
governor’s objections to the house in which it originated. After the objections shall
have been entered on its journal, such house shall proceed to reconsider the bill. If,
after such reconsideration, that house shall again pass it, but by the approval of at least
two-thirds of its members, it shall be sent with the objections to the other house, which
shall also reconsider it. If approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the second
house, it shall be a law and be transmitted to the secretary; but in such case the votes of
each house 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 of 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; except that, if the general assembly shall then have adjourned any regular
or special session, the bill shall be a law unless the governor shall, within fifteen cal-
endar days after the same has been presented to him, transmit it to the secretary with
his objections, in which case it shall not be a law unless such bill is reconsidered and
repassed by the general assembly by at least a two-thirds vote of the members of each
house of the general assembly at the time of its reconvening.
1 Three days within which governor may return bill means three days during which house which originated it is in
session. 77 C. 260. Legislature may grant money without approval of governor. 78 C. 557. Right of governor to cancel
approval of bill not properly before him. 79 C. 150. Necessity of approval of private law. 78 C. 557; 87 C. 515. Power to
veto separate items in an appropriation bill given by amendment of 1923 (Art. 4, Sec. 16). Acts signed by the governor
more than three days after final adjournment held void. 109 C. 624. Prohibits presentation to the governor after adjourn-
ment and expiration of three-day period. 112 C. 129. Cited. 135 C. 653. Governor’s partial veto of an appropriation bill
held unconstitutional. 152 C. 431. Governor has no constitutional power of partial veto even if legislation is inherently
unconstitutional. Id. Contingent veto held unconstitutional and void. 164 C. 299. Is not circumvented by provisions of
Sec. 4-85b. 200 C. 386.

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Art. IV CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT 175
(Veto of separate items in appropriation bills.)
Sec. 16.1 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 of the state. 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 pre-
scribed for legislative action in respect to bills which have received executive disapproval.
1 Only items of appropriation may be vetoed under this section. 152 C. 431. Not an item of appropriation. 164 C.
299. Cited. 200 C. 386.
(Lieutenant-governor, president of senate.)
Sec. 17. 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.
(When to succeed governor. When to act as governor.)
Sec. 18. 1 In case of the death, resignation, refusal to serve or removal from office of
the governor, the lieutenant-governor shall, upon taking the oath of office of governor,
be governor of the state until another is chosen at the next regular election for governor
and is duly qualified. In case of the inability of the governor to exercise the powers and
perform the duties of his office, or in case of his impeachment or of his absence from
the state, the lieutenant-governor shall exercise the powers and authority and perform
the duties appertaining to the office of governor until the disability is removed or, if
the governor has been impeached, he is acquitted or, if absent, he has returned.
1 Amended by Article XXII., of the Amendments to the Constitution of the State of Connecticut.
(When president pro tempore to become lieutenant-governor or act as
lieutenant-governor.)
Sec. 19.1 If the lieutenant-governor succeeds to the office of governor, or if the lieu-
tenant-governor dies, resigns, refuses to serve or is removed from office, the president
pro tempore of the senate shall, upon taking the oath of office of lieutenant-governor,
be lieutenant-governor of the state until another is chosen at the next regular election
for lieutenant-governor and is duly qualified. Within fifteen days of the administration
of such oath the senate, if the general assembly is in session, shall elect one of its
members president pro tempore. In case of the inability of the lieutenant-governor to
exercise the powers and perform the duties of his office or in case of his impeachment
or absence from the state, the president pro tempore of the senate shall exercise the
powers and authority and perform the duties appertaining to the office of lieuten-
ant-governor until the disability is removed or, if the lieutenant-governor has been
impeached, he is acquitted or, if absent, he has returned.
1 Cited. 183 C. 7.
(Election of president pro tempore when general assembly in recess.)
Sec. 20. If, while the general assembly is not in session, there is a vacancy in the
office of president pro tempore of the senate, the secretary of the state shall within

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176 CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT Art. IV
fifteen days convene the senate for the purpose of electing one of its members presi-
dent pro tempore.
(Death or failure to qualify of governor-elect.)
Sec. 21. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the governor, the gover-
nor-elect shall have died or shall have failed to qualify, the lieutenant-governor-elect,
after taking the oath of office of lieutenant-governor, 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 accord-
ingly until a governor or a lieutenant-governor shall have qualified.
(Treasurer, duties.)
Sec. 22. 1 The treasurer shall receive all moneys 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.
1 The duties of treasurer construed. 69 C. 73. Cited. 129 C. 276. “Warrant or order” means a written request or direc-
tion by some authorized person to the treasurer to pay a specified sum from the public moneys to a designated person.
133 C. 130. Withdrawal by unemployment compensation administrator to pay benefits falls within requirement of regis-
try. Id., 131. Cited. 179 C. 552; 200 C. 386.
(Secretary, duties.)
Sec. 23.1 The secretary of the state 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.
1 Clerks of legislature proper custodians of files and records during sessions. 77 C. 262. Records of secretary as
evidence of existence of act of general assembly. 79 C. 147.
(Comptroller, duties.)
Sec. 24. 1 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.
1 As to the duties of the comptroller in adjusting and settling accounts. 61 C. 568, 569. Legislature may make money
grant without approval of governor. 78 C. 557. Cited. 129 C. 277. Does not preclude general assembly from ordering
payment of amounts of benefits to be fixed by unemployment compensation administrator. 133 C. 112, 129. “Adjust and
settle” means no more than that comptroller is to fix amount due a claimant. Id., 127. Section of bill prescribing mode of
keeping books by comptroller held unconstitutional and void. 152 C. 431.
(Sheriffs for the several counties.)
Sec. 25.1 Sheriffs shall be elected in the several counties, on the Tuesday after the
first Monday of November, 1966, 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.
1 Repealed by Article XXX., Sec. 1, of the Amendments to the Constitution of the State of Connecticut.

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Art. V CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT 177
(Accounts of the state to be published.)
Sec. 26. 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.