Connecticut Politics and Government

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Connecticut State Politics

The ‘Constitution State’, this is the name by which Connecticut is popularly known. The name certainly finds its origin in the Fundamental Orders of 1638-39. This was the framework of the first formal government which was penned down by a representative body in Connecticut. The Connecticut constitutional history has however seen itself operating under four different documents throughout its whole course. King Charles II of England granted the governmental authority to Connecticut in the charter of 1662. These two documents were the basic ground for the state’s government. However, during that period, there were no separate branches of the government. The Generally Assembly held the supreme authority. Until 1818, the functioning of the Government went on like that. The current state constitution was adopted only in 1965. Though it modeled itself on its 1818 predecessor, there were a number of significant modifications that were incorporated as well.

Connecticut Politics

Connecticut strangely leans towards a Democratic government, but a high percentage of voters are not registered with any major party. As of the data of 2004, only 33.7% were registered with the Democratic Party and 22.0% were registered Republican. With only 0.2% registered with a minor party, 44% remain unaffiliated with any.

Connecticut Government

The three branches of the government of Connecticut are:

• Executive
• Legislative
• Judicial

Let’s delve deeper into their operation to have a clearer picture of the working of the government of Connecticut.

Connecticut Executive Branch

The executive branch is headed by the Governor of the state of Connecticut. The Governor used to preside over the General assembly from 1639 to 1818, the year in which the constitution was adopted. Connecticut has the history of being the first state in USA to elect a woman as the governor. That was back in 1974, when Ella Grasso was elected the governor of the state.

However, there are six official positions in the state government; they are:

The Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Secretary of State, the Treasurer, the Controller, and the Attorney General.

• The Governor, according to the constitution is regarded as "the supreme executive power of the state," "Captain General of the militia," and is responsible for from time to time, give to the General Assembly information... and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall deem expedient," he "shall have the power to grant reprieves after conviction, and to name commissions."

• The Lieutenant Governor presides over the Senate by virtue of his office; he is also expected to assume the role of the Governor in the case of "death, resignation, refusal to serve or removal from office.

• The Secretary acts as the commissioner of elections (state and local). He administers some aspects of the Federal elections as well.

• The Treasurer is responsible to receive all the money that belongs to the state, and disburse the same as directed by law.

• The Controller does "preserve the mode of keeping and rendering all public accounts."

• The Attorney General holds the power of jurisdiction over all the non-criminal legal matters of the state.

The executive departments of the state are:

Administrative Services, Agriculture, Banking, Children and Families, Consumer Protection, Correction, Economic and Community Development, Developmental Services, Education, Environmental Protection, Higher Education, Information Technology, Insurance, Labor, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Military, Motor Vehicles, Public Health, Public Safety, Public Utility Control, Public Works, Revenue Services, Social Services, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs. In addition to these departments, there are other independent bureaus, offices and commissions.

Connecticut Legislature Branch

• The General Assembly, that is, the Legislature comprises of thirty-six members in the Senate. The House of Representatives has 151 members. Members of both the General assembly and the House of Representatives are elected to two-year terms. 

• The majority party in both the Senate and the House organizes the General Assembly. The Lieutenant Governor presides over the Senate while the Speaker presides over the House of Representatives.

• When the legislation is put forward to the General Assembly, it is to one or more of the eighteen standing committees. After that, a public hearing is held. It has to be approved by both the chambers, and the Governor has to sign it.

•  If he fails to do so within five days of the session, or within the fifteen days when it is being adjourned, the legislation automatically becomes a law. However, the Legislation that has been vetoed by the governor can as well be overridden if two-thirds of the members of each chamber vote for it.

Connecticut Judicial Branch

• The judicial system of Connecticut has experienced a major makeover particularly the last decade.

• However, the Municipal courts were known to be established in 1961, while the circuit courts came into being in 1974; the court of common pleas was established in 1978 while  the juvenile court in 1978.

• The Supreme Court, Superior Court and Probate Courts make up the court system of Connecticut.

• The highest court of the judicial system is the Connecticut Supreme Court. The Chief Justice of Connecticut heads the Supreme Court.

List of Governors of Connecticut

Other High Offices Held

Living Former Governors

List of United States Senators From Connecticut

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