|
Popular Election of Senators
Clause 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.
Clause 2. When vacancies happen in the representation of
any State in the Senate, the executive authority of each 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.
Clause 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.
Author
When the House passed proposed amendments for the direct election of Senators in 1910 and 1911, that included a "race
rider" meant to bar Federal intervention in cases of racial discrimination among voters. A substitute amendment by Senator
Joseph L. Bristow of Kansas provided for the direct election of Senators without the "race rider." It was adopted by the Senate
on a close vote before the proposed constitutional amendment itself passed the Senate. Over a year later, the House accepted
the change, and on April 8, 1913, the resolution became the 17th amendment.
Interpretation
People should elect the U.S. senators instead of the state legislature.
Other Crucial Information
This amendment was designed to make the choice of senators more democratic and to cut down on corruption
and to improve state government. A state must order an election to fill a Senate vacancy. A state may allow
its governor to appoint a person to fil a Senate seat if a vacancy occurs until an election can be held.
|
