What is the Article 17 Amendment?

Asked by: Mr. Zackery Tremblay  |  Last update: January 30, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (68 votes)

The 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1913, established the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote, replacing the previous system where state legislatures chose senators, and allows state governors to appoint temporary replacements for Senate vacancies. This amendment changed Article I, Section 3, of the Constitution to ensure senators represent the people directly, rather than state governments, and holds each state to two senators, elected for six-year terms.

What is the 17th Amendment in simple terms?

Seventeenth Amendment Explained. 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.

What is the Article 17 of the Constitution?

Article 17, Constitution of India 1950

“Untouchability” is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability arising out of “Untouchability” shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law.

Why do people want to repeal the 17th Amendment?

More recent controversies emerged as recently as 2020, with certain senators and political analysts advocating for a repeal of the Seventeenth Amendment on the grounds that state legislatures would guarantee the state loyalty of elected leaders.

How does the 17th Amendment affect us today?

The Seventeenth Amendment restates the first paragraph of Article I, section 3 of the Constitution and provides for the election of senators by replacing the phrase “chosen by the Legislature thereof” with “elected by the people thereof.” In addition, it allows the governor or executive authority of each state, if ...

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What problems did the 17th fix?

Passed by Congress on May 13, 1912, and ratified on April 8, 1913, the 17th Amendment modified Article I, Section 3, of the Constitution by allowing voters to cast direct votes for U.S. senators. Prior to its passage, senators were chosen by state legislatures.

What is the 17th Amendment in simple terms Quizlet?

The Seventeenth Amendment established direct, rather than indirect, elections for US senators. This means that, instead of state legislators being the ones who chose senators, the general public does.

Why was Prohibition reversed?

Prohibition ended due to its failure to curb drinking, rampant organized crime, massive corruption, and the economic strain of the Great Depression, which made taxing alcohol seem like a vital revenue source. Widespread public disillusionment, coupled with the political shift under Franklin D. Roosevelt, led to the passage of the 21st Amendment in 1933, repealing the 18th Amendment that established Prohibition.
 

Did the 17th Amendment expand democracy?

The passage of the Seventeenth Amendment helped to democratize the United States Senate and tied the legislative branch closer to the people, but it undermined the links between the state and the federal systems.

What problem was the 17th Amendment intended to solve?

The Seventeenth Amendment was seen as part of a broader effort to make an end-run around the control that parties, machines, and special interests had over state legislatures.

How is Article 17 enforced?

Article 17 requires platforms to inform users about exempted content via their Terms and Conditions. This obligation applies to all types of content-sharing platform, including Startups and Popular Startups. To comply with Article 17, you should ensure that such guidance is incorporated into your Terms and Conditions.

What are the benefits of Article 17?

An Article 17-A guardian may make financial medical or personal decisions on another party's behalf. The guardian may become the guardian of the person, meaning he or she makes decisions regarding health care and general safety.

What is an example of Article 17?

It means is that no one can henceforth prevent Dalits from educating themselves, entering temples, using public facilities etc. It also means that it is wrong to practise untouchability and that this practice will not be tolerated by a democratic government. In fact, untouchability is a punishable crime now.

Can a president and vice president be from the same state?

The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, ...

What was one reason why the Seventeenth Amendment passed?

The ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment was the outcome of increasing popular dissatisfaction with the operation of the originally established method of electing Senators.

What is the 70th Amendment Act?

By 70th Constitutional Amendment, the Legislative Assemblies of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry were added to the electoral college for the Presidential election.

What change did the 17th Amendment bring to US politics?

The Seventeenth Amendment (Amendment XVII) to the United States Constitution established the direct election of United States senators in each state. The amendment supersedes Article I, Section 3, Clauses 1 and 2 of the Constitution, under which senators were appointed by state legislatures.

Are US senators elected or appointed?

From its inception in 1789 until 1913, senators were appointed by the state legislatures of their respective states. Since 1913, however, following ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment, senators have been elected by statewide popular vote. The Senate has several powers of advice and consent.

How does the US Constitution promote democracy?

The Constitution established the United States as a democratic republic. It is democratic because the people govern themselves, and it is a republic because the government's power is derived from its people. This means that our government – federal, state, and local – is elected by the citizens.

What was the worst kept secret of prohibition?

Prohibition's worst-kept secret was the ubiquitous, openly operating speakeasies (illicit bars) and widespread bootlegging, where alcohol flowed freely despite the law, often with payoffs to police and federal agents, defying the 18th Amendment through blatant defiance, bribes, and widespread consumer demand. The sheer number of these hidden (but not very hidden) establishments and the open commerce in illegal liquor became a defining feature of the era, showing how easily the ban was circumvented. 

Why did Jesus make wine if alcohol is bad?

Jesus made wine because ancient wine was often weak, diluted, and used for celebration and communion, not modern heavy drinking, with the Bible contrasting moderation (like Jesus's wine) and divine blessing with drunkenness (which it condemns) as a serious sin, showing God's view is on abuse, not the drink itself. 

What president lifted Prohibition?

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the U.S. President who ended Prohibition by signing the proclamation for the ratification of the 21st Amendment on December 5, 1933, which repealed the 18th Amendment, ending the nationwide ban on alcohol. He had campaigned on repeal, and his administration immediately legalized low-alcohol beer while waiting for the full repeal, which came less than a year after his inauguration.
 

Why would the 17th Amendment be considered a reform?

After the ratification of the 17th Amendment, citizens had the opportunity to directly influence the election of their officers in the Senate, which increased the transparency and democracy of the elections.

What was one reason why the 17th Amendment passed brainly?

The 17th Amendment was essential to address corruption and enhance democracy by allowing for the direct election of U.S. senators. It aimed to eliminate the issues arising from state legislatures appointing senators, which often led to questionable selections.

Why do you think some historians believe that the Seventeenth Amendment reduced state rights?

The 17th Amendment critically altered the balance of power between state governments and the federal government, to the detriment of the states. States no longer “had a legislative venue, or any venue, to influence directly the course of the federal government,” Mr.