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Passed by Congress May 13, 1912. Ratified April 8, 1913. The 17th Amendment changed a portion of Article I, Section 3

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Text of the Amendment

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.

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Interpretations & Debate

Read scholarly interpretations of the Seventeenth Amendment from the National Constitution Center, where constitutional scholars across the political spectrum debate its meaning and application.

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Source

Adapted from the National Constitution Center, which provides the canonical text and scholarly interpretations of the Seventeenth Amendment.