U.S. Constitution · Amendment XVII, Section 1 · ratified 1913-04-08
Direct Election of Senators, section 1
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The text
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.
National Archives transcription (public domain; original spelling and capitalization). archives.gov
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In the founders’ words
- “It is equally unnecessary to dilate on the appointment of senators by the State legislatures. Among the various modes which might have been devised for constituting this branch of the government, that which has been proposed by the convention is probably the most congenial with the public opinion.” James Madison, The Federalist No. 62 (1788-02-27)
- “It is recommended by the double advantage of favoring a select appointment, and of giving to the State governments such an agency in the formation of the federal government as must secure the authority of the former, and may form a convenient link between the two systems.” James Madison, The Federalist No. 62 (1788-02-27)
- “because he wished the Senate to consist of the most distinguished characters, distinguished for their rank in life and their weight of property, and bearing as strong a likeness to the British House of Lords as possible; and he thought such characters more likely to be selected by the State Legislatures, than in any other mode.” James Madison, Madison's Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention, June 7, 1787 (1787-06-07)
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Values for America Constitution Explorer, https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution (text: National Archives transcription, public domain), Amendment XVII, Section 1, https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution/amendment-17/section-1
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