Which constitutional amendment established the direct election of U.S. Senators?

Which constitutional amendment established the direct election of U.S. Senators?

• A. 17th Amendment
• B. 18th Amendment
• C. 19th Amendment
• D. 20th Amendment

Answer: (A)

Direct election of U.S. Senators was established by the Seventeenth Amendment, ratified in 1913, which ended the practice of letting state legislatures choose senators. This change means that voters in each state directly elect their two senators, increasing democratic participation and reducing the influence of state legislatures and political machines over who serves in the Senate. It also set a modern rule for filling vacancies by allowing temporary appointments until a special election. The other amendments mentioned deal with Prohibition, women’s suffrage, and changes to the terms and sessions of Congress, so they don’t address how senators are chosen.

Direct election of U.S. Senators was established by the Seventeenth Amendment, ratified in 1913, which ended the practice of letting state legislatures choose senators. This change means that voters in each state directly elect their two senators, increasing democratic participation and reducing the influence of state legislatures and political machines over who serves in the Senate. It also set a modern rule for filling vacancies by allowing temporary appointments until a special election. The other amendments mentioned deal with Prohibition, women’s suffrage, and changes to the terms and sessions of Congress, so they don’t address how senators are chosen.