Popular Election of Senators

"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. 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. 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."

The Seventeenth AmendmentSeventeenth AmendmentThe 1913 amendment providing for direct popular election of senators, who had previously been chosen by state legislatures.Read the full definition (opens a new tab) provides for U.S. Senators to be elected directly by the people of each state, rather than chosen by state legislatures.