Direct election of senators
Changes Senate selection from state legislatures to voters and sets rules for vacancies.
In Simple, Modern English
Each state's people elect two senators for six-year terms, each with one vote. Senate voters meet the qualifications for voting for the larger chamber of the state legislature. When a seat is vacant, the state executive calls an election; the legislature may authorize a temporary executive appointment until voters fill it. Senators already chosen when the amendment took effect kept their existing elections and terms.
Important Clauses & Details
Popular election
Voters replace state legislators as the selectors of senators. Equal representation of two senators per state and six-year terms remain.
Vacancies and transition
The governor or other state executive issues election writs. Temporary appointments depend on authorization by the state legislature. The amendment did not cut short existing Senate terms.
Why It Was Added
Progressive-era reformers criticized corruption and deadlocks in legislative selection of senators. Direct popular election promised greater accountability and a way to avoid vacancies caused by legislative stalemates.
A temporary appointment is not an unlimited alternative to election. State law governs whether and how an authorized temporary appointment is made.
Plain-English study paraphrases summarize the text; they are not verbatim translations. Historical provisions and later changes are identified above. Sources: National Archives and Constitution Annotated.