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Bill

Bill

HJ 20

RESOLUTION PROPOSING A STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PROVIDE FOR DIRECT REFERENDUM.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brandon Chafee

Connecticut constitutional amendment proposal enabling citizens to directly vote on legislation through referendum processes, expanding direct democracy mechanisms.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Government Administration and Elections
#referenda #stateconstitutionalamendments
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Bill Summary · HJ 20

Legislative bill overview

HJ 20 proposes a constitutional amendment that would establish a direct referendum process in Connecticut, allowing citizens to directly vote on legislation without relying solely on the legislative process. This would create a mechanism for popular direct democracy at the state level, similar to ballot initiative systems in other states.

Why is this important

Connecticut currently lacks a direct referendum or ballot initiative system, making it one of the few states without this form of direct democracy. This amendment would fundamentally alter how laws are made by potentially bypassing the legislature, giving voters direct legislative power and potentially increasing civic engagement or shifting power dynamics between the legislature and electorate.

Potential points of contention

  • Legislative authority concerns: Legislators may resist reducing their lawmaking monopoly and view direct referendums as undermining representative government and deliberative legislative processes
  • Implementation complexity: Questions about petition thresholds, signature-gathering logistics, ballot crowding, and what types of legislation can be subject to referendum would require detailed statutory definition
  • Voter competency debate: Disagreement over whether voters can effectively evaluate complex policy issues without legislative debate, and concerns about well-funded special interests manipulating referendum campaigns

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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