What is the Seventeenth Amendment
- Steven Topazio wrote this September 11, 2024 at 4:58 pm
The Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified on April 8, 1913, established the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote. Prior to this amendment, Senators were chosen by state legislatures. The text of the Seventeenth Amendment reads:
Section 1: “The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.”
Section 2: “When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.”
Section 3: “This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.”
Key points of the Seventeenth Amendment include:
Direct Election of Senators: Senators are elected directly by the people of each state, rather than being chosen by state legislatures. This change aimed to make the Senate more responsive to the electorate and reduce corruption and undue influence.
Term and Voting: Senators serve six-year terms, and each senator has one vote.
Filling Vacancies: When a Senate seat becomes vacant, the state’s executive authority (usually the governor) must call an election to fill the vacancy. State legislatures may allow the governor to make temporary appointments until an election occurs.
The Seventeenth Amendment significantly altered the structure of American government by increasing democratic participation in the election of Senators and reducing the potential for corruption and deadlock associated with legislative selection.