Home Up
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
Adopted by convention of States, September 17, 1787; Ratification completed,
June 21, 1788<1>
(Current Through 1995)
Table of Contents
ARTICLE I: The Legislative Branch
- Section 1: "All legislative Powers herein
granted..."
- Section 2: "The House of Representatives shall be
composed..."
- Section 3: "The Senate of the United States shall
be composed..."
- Section 4: "The Times, Places and Manner of
holding Elections..."
- Section 5: "Each House shall be the Judge..."
- Section 6: "The Senators and Representatives shall
receive a Compensation..."
- Section 7: "All Bills for raising Revenue shall
originate..."
- Section 8: "The Congress shall have Power To lay
and collect Taxes..."
- Section 9: "The Migration or Importation of such
Persons..."
- Section 10: "No State shall enter into any
Treaty..."
ARTICLE II: The Executive Branch
- Section 1: "The executive Power shall be vested in
a President..."
- Section 2: "The President shall be Commander in
Chief..."
- Section 3: "He shall from time to time give to the
Congress Information..."
- Section 4: "The President, Vice President and all
civil Officers of the United States..."
- Section 1: "The judicial Power of the United
States..."
- Section 2: "The judicial Power shall extend to all
Cases..."
- Section 3: "Treason against the United States..."
ARTICLE IV: Relations Between the States
- Section 1: "Full Faith and Credit shall be
given..."
- Section 2: "The Citizens of each State shall be
entitled to all Privileges and Immunities..."
- Section 3: "New States may be admitted by the
Congress..."
- Section 4: "The United States shall guarantee to
every State..."
ARTICLE V: The Amendment Process
ARTICLE VI: General Provisions, Supremacy of the
Constitution
-
The Bill of Rights
- Article I: Freedom of speech, religion, press,
petition and assembly.
- Article II: Right to bear arms and militia.
- Article III: Quartering of soldiers.
- Article IV: Warrants and searches.
- Article V: Individual debt and double jeopardy.
- Article VI: Speedy trial, witnesses and
accusations.
- Article VII: Right for a jury trial.
- Article VIII: Bail and fines.
- Article IX: Existence of other rights for the
people.
- Article X: Power reserved to the states and
people.
-
End of The Bill of Rights
- Article XI: Suits against states.
- Article XII: Election of executive branch.
- Article XIII: Prohibition of slavery.
- Section 1: "Neither slavery nor involuntary
servitude..."
- Section 2: "Congress shall have power to
enforce..."
- Article XIV: Privileges or immunities, due
process, elections and debt.
- Section 1: "All persons born or naturalized in
the United States..."
- Section 2: "Representatives shall be
apportioned..."
- Section 3: "No person shall be a Senator or
Representative..."
- Section 4: "The validity of the public debt of
the United States..."
- Section 5: "The Congress shall have power to
enforce..."
- Article XV: Race and the right to vote.
- Section 1: "The right of citizens of the
United States to vote..."
- Section 2: "The Congress shall have power to
enforce..."
- Article XVI: Income tax.
- Article XVII: Senator election and number.
- Article XVIII: Prohibition on sale of alcohol.
- Section 1: "After one year from the
ratification of this article..."
- Section 2: "The Congress and the several
States..."
- Section 3: "This article shall be inoperative
unless..."
- Article XIX: Sex and the right to vote.
- Article XX: "Lame duck" session of Congress
eliminated.
- Section 1: "The terms of the President and
Vice President shall end..."
- Section 2: "The Congress shall assemble at
least once in every year..."
- Section 3: "If, at the time fixed for the
beginning of the term of the President..."
- Section 4: "The Congress may by law provide
for the case of the death..."
- Section 5: "Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect
on the 15th day..."
- Section 6: "This article shall be inoperative
unless..."
- Article XXI: Repeal of Article XVIII.
- Section 1: "The eighteenth article of
amendment to the Constitution..."
- Section 2: "The transportation or importation
into any State..."
- Section 3: "This article shall be inoperative
unless..."
- Article XXII: Limit of Presidential terms.
- Section 1: "No person shall be elected to the
office of the President..."
- Section 2: "This article shall be inoperative
unless..."
- Article XXIII: Election rules for the District
of Columbia.
- Section 1: "The District constituting the seat
of Government..."
- Section 2: "The Congress shall have power to
enforce..."
- Article XXIV: Taxes and the right to vote.
- Section 1: "The right of citizens of the
United States to vote..."
- Section 2: "The Congress shall have power to
enforce..."
- Article XXV: Rules of Presidential succession.
- Section 1: "In case of the removal of the
President from office..."
- Section 2: "Whenever there is a vacancy in the
office of the Vice President..."
- Section 3: "Whenever the President
transmits..."
- Section 4: "Whenever the Vice President..."
- Article XXVI: Age and the right to vote.
- Section 1: "The right of citizens of the
United States..."
- Section 2: "The Congress shall have power to
enforce..."
- Article XXVII: Pay raises and Congress.
PREAMBLE.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect
Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common
defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to
ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
United States of America.
Article I.
Section 1.
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the
United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section. 2.
- Clause 1:
- The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every
second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each
State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most
numerous Branch of the State Legislature.
- Clause 2:
- No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age
of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and
who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall
be chosen.
- Clause 3:
- Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several
States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective
Numbers,
which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons,
including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians
not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.
<2>
The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first
Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term
of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of
Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State
shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be
made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three,
Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut
five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one,
Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and
Georgia three.
- Clause 4:
- When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive
Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
- Clause 5:
The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers;
and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
Section. 3.
- Clause 1:
- The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from
each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof,
<3>
for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
- Clause 2:
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first
Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The
Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of
the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and
of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may
be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or
otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive
thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the
Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.<4>
- Clause 3:
- No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of
thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who
shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be
chosen.
- Clause 4:
- The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate,
but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
- Clause 5:
- The Senate shall choose their other Officers, and also a President pro
tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the
Office of President of the United States.
- Clause 6:
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting
for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of
the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person
shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members
present.
- Clause 7:
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal
from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust
or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless
be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according
to Law.
Section. 4.
- Clause 1:
- The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and
Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof;
but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except
as to the Places of choosing Senators.
- Clause 2:
- The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such
Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December,
<5>
unless they shall by Law
appoint a different Day.
Section. 5.
- Clause 1:
- Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications
of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do
Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be
authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and
under such Penalties as each House may provide.
- Clause 2:
- Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members
for disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a
Member.
- Clause 3:
- Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time
publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require
Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question
shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
- Clause 4:
- Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent
of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than
that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Section. 6.
- Clause 1:
- The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their
Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United
States.
<6>
They shall in all Cases,
except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be-privileged from Arrest
during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in
going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either
House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
- Clause 2:
- No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was
elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United
States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have
been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the
United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in
Office.
Section. 7.
- Clause 1:
- All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of
Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on
other Bills.
- Clause 2:
- Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the
Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the
United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it,
with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall
enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it.
If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the
Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by
which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that
House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses
shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for
and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House
respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten
Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same
shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by
their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
- Clause 3:
- Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate
and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of
Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and
before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being
disapproved by him, shall be re-passed by two thirds of the Senate and House
of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the
Case of a Bill.
Section. 8.
- Clause 1:
- The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts
and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general
Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be
uniform throughout the United States;
- Clause 2:
- To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
- Clause 3:
- To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States,
and with the Indian Tribes;
- Clause 4:
- To establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the
subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
- Clause 5:
- To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix
the Standard of Weights and Measures;
- Clause 6:
- To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current
Coin of the United States;
- Clause 7:
- To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
- Clause 8:
- To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for
limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective
Writings and Discoveries;
- Clause 9:
- To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
- Clause 10:
- To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and
Offences against the Law of Nations;
- Clause 11:
- To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules
concerning Captures on Land and Water;
- Clause 12:
- To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use
shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
- Clause 13:
- To provide and maintain a Navy;
- Clause 14:
- To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval
Forces;
- Clause 15:
- To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union,
suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
- Clause 16:
- To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for
governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United
States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers,
and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline
prescribed by Congress;
- Clause 17:
- To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such
District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular
States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of
the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by
the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for
the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful
Buildings;--And
- Clause 18:
- To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into
Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this
Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or
Officer thereof.
Section. 9.
- Clause 1:
- The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now
existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress
prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may
be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
- Clause 2:
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless
when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
- Clause 3:
- No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
- Clause 4:
- No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion
to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
<7>
- Clause 5:
- No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
- Clause 6:
- No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to
the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or
from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
- Clause 7:
- No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in
- Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and
Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be
published from time to time.
- Clause 8:
- No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person
holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent
of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any
kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
Section. 10.
- Clause 1:
No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant
Letters of Marquee and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any
Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of
Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or
grant any Title of Nobility.
- Clause 2:
- No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or
Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for
executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts,
laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury
of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and
Control of the Congress.
- Clause 3:
- No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage,
keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or
Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless
actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
Article II.
Section. 1.
- Clause 1:
- The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of
America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years,
<8>
and, together with the Vice President, chosen for
the same Term, be elected, as follows:
- Clause 2:
- Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may
direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and
Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no
Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit
under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
- Clause 3:
- The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot
for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same
State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted
for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and
certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United
States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate
shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all
the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the
greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority
of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who
have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of
Representatives shall immediately choose by Ballot one of them for President;
and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the
said House shall in like Manner choose the President. But in choosing the
President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each
State having one Vote; A quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or
Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall
be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President,
the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the
Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes,
the Senate shall choose from them by Ballot the Vice President.
<9>
- Clause 4:
- The Congress may determine the Time of choosing the Electors, and the Day
on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout
the United States.
- Clause 5:
- No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United
States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to
the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office
who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen
Years a Resident within the United States.
- Clause 6:
- In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death,
Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said
Office,
<10>
the Same shall devolve on
the Vice-President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of
Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice
President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such
Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President
shall be elected.
- Clause 7:
- The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a
Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the
Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within
that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.
- Clause 8:
- Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the
following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will
faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to
the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the
United States."
Section. 2.
- Clause 1:
- The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the
United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the
actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing,
of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any
Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have
Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States,
except in Cases of Impeachment.
- Clause 2:
- He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to
make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he
shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall
appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme
Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not
herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the
Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they
think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of
Departments.
- Clause 3:
- The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen
during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at
the End of their next Session.
Section. 3.
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of
the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge
necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both
Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with
Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall
think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall
take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the
Officers of the United States.
Section. 4.
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States,
shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason,
Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Article III.
Section. 1.
The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme
Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain
and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold
their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for
their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their
Continuance in Office.
Section. 2.
- Clause 1:
- The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising
under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or
which shall be made, under their Authority;--to all Cases affecting
Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases of admiralty
and maritime Jurisdiction;--to Controversies to which the United States shall
be a Party;--to Controversies between two or more States;--between a State
and Citizens of another State;
<11>
--between
Citizens of different States,--between Citizens of the same State claiming
Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the
Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.<11>
- Clause 2:
- In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls,
and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have
original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme
Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such
Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
- Clause 3:
- The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury;
and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have
been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at
such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
Section. 3.
- Clause 1:
- Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War
against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No
Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses
to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
- Clause 2:
- The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no
Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except
during the Life of the Person attainted.
Article IV.
Section. 1.
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts,
Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by
general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings
shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
Section. 2.
- Clause 1:
- The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and
Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
<12>
- Clause 2:
- A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who
shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the
executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be
removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
- Clause 3:
- No Person held to Service or Labor in one State, under the Laws
thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation
therein, be discharged from such Service or Labor, but shall be delivered up
on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labor may be due.
<13>
Section. 3.
- Clause 1:
- New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new
State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State;
nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of
States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as
well as of the Congress.
- Clause 2:
- The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and
Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United
States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice
any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.
Section. 4.
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican
Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on
Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot
be convened) against domestic Violence.
Article V.
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary,
shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the
Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for
proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and
Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of
three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof,
as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress;
Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand
eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses
in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its
Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
Article VI.
- Clause 1:
- All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption
of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this
Constitution, as under the Confederation.
<14>
- Clause 2:
- This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made
in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the
Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the
Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or
Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
- Clause 3:
- The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the
several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of
the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or
Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be
required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United
States.
Article VII.
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for
the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.
- Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the
Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of
America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,
GEORGE WASHINGTON -- Presidt. and deputy from Virginia
[Signed also by the deputies of twelve States.]
New Hampshire -- John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman
Massachusetts -- Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King
Connecticut -- Wm. Saml. Johnson, Roger Sherman
New Jersey -- Wil: Livingston, Jona: Dayton
Pennsylvania -- B Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robt. Morris, Geo. Clymer,
Thos. FitzSimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouv Morris
Delaware -- Geo: Read, Gunning Bedford Jr., John Dickinson, Richard
Bassett; Jaco: Broom
Maryland -- James MCHenry, Dan: of St. Thos. Jenifer, Danl Carroll
Virginia -- John Blair, James Madison Jr.
North Carolina -- Wm. Blount, Richd. Dobbs Spaight, Hu Williamson
South Carolina -- J. Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles
Pinckney, Pierce Butler
Georgia -- William Few, Abr Baldwin
Attest: William Jackson, Secretary
Notes on the US Constitution
Note 1:
This text of the Constitution follows the engrossed copy signed by Gen.
Washington and the deputies from 12 States. The small superior figures preceding
the paragraphs designate clauses, and were not in the original and have no
reference to footnotes.
The Constitution was adopted by a convention of the States on September 17,
1787, and was subsequently ratified by the several States, on the following
dates: Delaware, December 7, 1787; Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787; New Jersey,
December 18, 1787; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9, 1788;
Massachusetts, February 6, 1788; Maryland, April 28, 1788; South Carolina, May
23, 1788; New Hampshire, June 21, 1788. Ratification was completed on June 21,
1788.
The Constitution was subsequently ratified by Virginia, June 25, 1788; New
York, July 26, 1788; North Carolina, November 21, 1789; Rhode Island, May 29,
1790; and Vermont, January 10, 1791.
In May 1785, a committee of Congress made a report recommending an alteration
in the Articles of Confederation, but no action was taken on it, and it was left
to the State Legislatures to proceed in the matter. In January 1786, the
Legislature of Virginia passed a resolution providing for the appointment of
five commissioners, who, or any three of them, should meet such commissioners as
might be appointed in the other States of the Union, at a time and place to be
agreed upon, to take into consideration the trade of the United States; to
consider how far a uniform system in their commercial regulations may be
necessary to their common interest and their permanent harmony; and to report to
the several States such an act, relative to this great object, as, when ratified
by them, will enable the United States in Congress effectually to provide for
the same. The Virginia commissioners, after some correspondence, fixed the first
Monday in September as the time, and the city of Annapolis as the place for the
meeting, but only four other States were represented, viz: Delaware, New York,
New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; the commissioners appointed by Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, North Carolina, and Rhode Island failed to attend. Under the
circumstances of so partial a representation, the commissioners present agreed
upon a report, (drawn by Mr. Hamilton, of New York,) expressing their unanimous
conviction that it might essentially tend to advance the interests of the Union
if the States by which they were respectively delegated would concur, and use
their endeavors to procure the concurrence of the other States, in the
appointment of commissioners to meet at Philadelphia on the Second Monday of May
following, to take into consideration the situation of the United States; to
devise such further provisions as should appear to them necessary to render the
Constitution of the Federal Government adequate to the exigencies of the Union;
and to report such an act for that purpose to the United States in Congress
assembled as, when agreed to by them and afterwards confirmed by the
Legislatures of every State, would effectually provide for the same.
Congress, on the 21st of February, 1787, adopted a resolution in favor of a
convention, and the Legislatures of those States which had not already done so
(with the exception of Rhode Island) promptly appointed delegates. On the 25th
of May, seven States having convened, George Washington, of Virginia, was
unanimously elected President, and the consideration of the proposed
constitution was commenced. On the 17th of September, 1787, the Constitution as
engrossed and agreed upon was signed by all the members present, except Mr.
Gerry of Massachusetts, and Messrs. Mason and Randolph, of Virginia. The
president of the convention transmitted it to Congress, with a resolution
stating how the proposed Federal Government should be put in operation, and an
explanatory letter. Congress, on the 28th of September, 1787, directed the
Constitution so framed, with the resolutions and letter concerning the same, to
"be transmitted to the several Legislatures in order to be submitted to a
convention of delegates chosen in each State by the people thereof, in
conformity to the resolves of the convention."
On the 4th of March, 1789, the day which had been fixed for commencing the
operations of Government under the new Constitution, it had been ratified by the
conventions chosen in each State to consider it, as follows: Delaware, December
7, 1787; Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787; New Jersey, December 18, 1787;
Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9, 1788; Massachusetts, February
6, 1788; Maryland, April 28, 1788; South Carolina, May 23, 1788; New Hampshire,
June 21, 1788; Virginia, June 25, 1788; and New York, July 26, 1788.
The President informed Congress, on the 28th of January, 1790, that North
Carolina had ratified the Constitution November 21, 1789; and he informed
Congress on the 1st of June, 1790, that Rhode Island had ratified the
Constitution May 29, 1790. Vermont, in convention, ratified the Constitution
January 10, 1791, and was, by an act of Congress approved February 18, 1791,
"received and admitted into this Union as a new and entire member of the United
States."
Note 2:
The part of this clause relating to the mode of apportionment of
representatives among the several States has been affected by
section 2 of amendment XIV, and
as to taxes on incomes without apportionment by amendment XVI.
Note 3: This clause has been affected by
clause 1 of amendment XVII.
Note 4: This clause has been affected by
clause 2 of amendment XVII.
Note 5: This clause has been affected by
amendment XX.
Note 6: This clause has been affected by
amendment XXVII.
Note 7: This clause has been affected by
amendment XVI.
Note 8: This clause has been affected by
amendment XXII.
Note 9: This clause has been superseded by
amendment XII.
Note 10: This clause has been affected by
amendment XXV.
Note 11: This clause has been affected by
amendment XI.
Note 12: This clause is made more explicit
by amendment XIV
Note 13: This clause has been affected by
amendment XIII.
Note 14: This clause is made more explicit
by amendment XIV
Amendments to the Constitution
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES ARTICLES IN ADDITION TO, AND AMENDMENT OF,
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PROPOSED BY CONGRESS, AND
RATIFIED BY THE LEGISLATURES OF THE SEVERAL STATES, PURSUANT TO THE FIFTH
ARTICLE OF THE ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION<1>
Article I.
<2>
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of
the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
Government for a redress of grievances.
Article II.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Article III.
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the
consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by
law.
Article IV.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and
no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or
affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the
persons or things to be seized.
Article V.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime,
unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising
in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time
of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to
be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal
case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or
property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for
public use, without just compensation.
Article VI.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy
and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the
crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously
ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the
accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory
process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of
Counsel for his defence.
Article VII.
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty
dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a
jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than
according to the rules of the common law.
Article VIII.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel
and unusual punishments inflicted.
Article IX.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Article X.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor
prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to
the people.
Article XI.
The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to
any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United
States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign
State.
- Proposal and Ratification
- The eleventh amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Third Congress, on
the 4th of March 1794; and was declared in a message from the President to
Congress, dated the 8th of January, 1798, to have been ratified by the
legislatures of three-fourths of the States. The dates of ratification were:
New York, March 27, 1794; Rhode Island, March 31, 1794; Connecticut, May 8,
1794; New Hampshire, June 16, 1794; Massachusetts, June 26, 1794; Vermont,
between October 9, 1794 and November 9, 1794; Virginia, November 18, 1794;
Georgia, November 29, 1794; Kentucky, December 7, 1794; Maryland, December 26,
1794; Delaware, January 23, 1795; North Carolina, February 7, 1795.
- Ratification was completed on February 7, 1795.
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by South Carolina on December
4, 1797. New Jersey and Pennsylvania did not take action on the amendment.
Article XII.
The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for
President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant
of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person
voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as
Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as
President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of
votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to
the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of
the Senate;--The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate
and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then
be counted;--The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall
be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors
appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the
highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President,
the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President.
But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the
representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall
consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of
all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of
Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall
devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the
Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other
constitutional disability of the President.<3>
--The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the
Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors
appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers
on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the
purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a
majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person
constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that
of Vice-President of the United States.
- Proposal and Ratification
- The twelfth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Eighth Congress, on
the 9th of December, 1803, in lieu of the original third paragraph of the
first section of the second article; and was declared in a proclamation of the
Secretary of State, dated the 25th of September, 1804, to have been ratified
by the legislatures of 13 of the 17 States. The dates of ratification were:
North Carolina, December 21, 1803; Maryland, December 24, 1803; Kentucky,
December 27, 1803; Ohio, December 30, 1803; Pennsylvania, January 5, 1804;
Vermont, January 30, 1804; Virginia, February 3, 1804; New York, February 10,
1804; New Jersey, February 22, 1804; Rhode Island, March 12, 1804; South
Carolina, May 15, 1804; Georgia, May 19, 1804; New Hampshire, June 15, 1804.
- Ratification was completed on June 15, 1804.
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by Tennessee, July 27, 1804.
The amendment was rejected by Delaware, January 18, 1804; Massachusetts,
February 3, 1804; Connecticut, at its session begun May 10, 1804.
Article XIII.
Section 1.
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime
whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United
States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
- Proposal and Ratification
- The thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Thirty-eighth
Congress, on the 31st day of January, 1865, and was declared, in a
proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the 18th of December, 1865, to
have been ratified by the legislatures of twenty-seven of the thirty-six
States. The dates of ratification were: Illinois, February 1, 1865; Rhode
Island, February 2, 1865; Michigan, February 2, 1865; Maryland, February 3,
1865; New York, February 3, 1865; Pennsylvania, February 3, 1865; West
Virginia, February 3, 1865; Missouri, February 6, 1865; Maine, February 7,
1865; Kansas, February 7, 1865; Massachusetts, February 7, 1865; Virginia,
February 9, 1865; Ohio, February 10, 1865; Indiana, February 13, 1865; Nevada,
February 16, 1865; Louisiana, February 17, 1865; Minnesota, February 23, 1865;
Wisconsin, February 24, 1865; Vermont, March 9, 1865; Tennessee, April 7,
1865; Arkansas, April 14, 1865; Connecticut, May 4, 1865; New Hampshire, July
1, 1865; South Carolina, November 13, 1865; Alabama, December 2, 1865; North
Carolina, December 4, 1865; Georgia, December 6, 1865.
- Ratification was completed on December 6, 1865.
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by Oregon, December 8, 1865;
California, December 19, 1865; Florida, December 28, 1865 (Florida again
ratified on June 9, 1868, upon its adoption of a new constitution); Iowa,
January 15, 1866; New Jersey, January 23, 1866 (after having rejected the
amendment on March 16, 1865); Texas, February 18, 1870; Delaware, February 12,
1901 (after having rejected the amendment on February 8, 1865); Kentucky,
March 18, 1976 (after having rejected it on February 24, 1865). The amendment
was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by Mississippi, December 4, 1865.
Article XIV.
Section 1.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the
jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein
they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the
privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State
deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;
nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Section 2.
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to
their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State,
excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the
choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States,
Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or
the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants
of such State, being twenty-one years of age,<4>
and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for
participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein
shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall
bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
Section 3.
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of
President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the
United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a
member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any
State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to
support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in
insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the
enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove
such disability.
Section 4.
The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law,
including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in
suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the
United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred
in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for
the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and
claims shall be held illegal and void.
Section 5.
The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the
provisions of this article.
- Proposal and Ratification
- The fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Thirty-ninth
Congress, on the 13th of June, 1866. It was declared, in a certificate of the
Secretary of State dated July 28, 1868 to have been ratified by the
legislatures of 28 of the 37 States. The dates of ratification were:
Connecticut, June 25, 1866; New Hampshire, July 6, 1866; Tennessee, July 19,
1866; New Jersey, September 11, 1866 (subsequently the legislature rescinded
its ratification, and on March 24, 1868, readopted its resolution of
rescission over the Governor's veto, and on Nov. 12, 1980, expressed support
for the amendment); Oregon, September 19, 1866 (and rescinded its ratification
on October 15, 1868); Vermont, October 30, 1866; Ohio, January 4, 1867 (and
rescinded its ratification on January 15, 1868); New York, January 10, 1867;
Kansas, January 11, 1867; Illinois, January 15, 1867; West Virginia, January
16, 1867; Michigan, January 16, 1867; Minnesota, January 16, 1867; Maine,
January 19, 1867; Nevada, January 22, 1867; Indiana, January 23, 1867;
Missouri, January 25, 1867; Rhode Island, February 7, 1867; Wisconsin,
February 7, 1867; Pennsylvania, February 12, 1867; Massachusetts, March 20,
1867; Nebraska, June 15, 1867; Iowa, March 16, 1868; Arkansas, April 6, 1868;
Florida, June 9, 1868; North Carolina, July 4, 1868 (after having rejected it
on December 14, 1866); Louisiana, July 9, 1868 (after having rejected it on
February 6, 1867); South Carolina, July 9, 1868 (after having rejected it on
December 20, 1866).
- Ratification was completed on July 9, 1868.
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by Alabama, July 13, 1868;
Georgia, July 21, 1868 (after having rejected it on November 9, 1866);
Virginia, October 8, 1869 (after having rejected it on January 9, 1867);
Mississippi, January 17, 1870; Texas, February 18, 1870 (after having rejected
it on October 27, 1866); Delaware, February 12, 1901 (after having rejected it
on February 8, 1867); Maryland, April 4, 1959 (after having rejected it on
March 23, 1867); California, May 6, 1959; Kentucky, March 18, 1976 (after
having rejected it on January 8, 1867).
Article XV.
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or
abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or
previous condition of servitude.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.
- Proposal and Ratification
- The fifteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Fortieth Congress,
on the 26th of February, 1869, and was declared, in a proclamation of the
Secretary of State, dated March 30, 1870, to have been ratified by the
legislatures of twenty-nine of the thirty-seven States. The dates of
ratification were: Nevada, March 1, 1869; West Virginia, March 3, 1869;
Illinois, March 5, 1869; Louisiana, March 5, 1869; North Carolina, March 5,
1869; Michigan, March 8, 1869; Wisconsin, March 9, 1869; Maine, March 11,
1869; Massachusetts, March 12, 1869; Arkansas, March 15, 1869; South Carolina,
March 15, 1869; Pennsylvania, March 25, 1869; New York, April 14, 1869 (and
the legislature of the same State passed a resolution January 5, 1870, to
withdraw its consent to it, which action it rescinded on March 30, 1970);
Indiana, May 14, 1869; Connecticut, May 19, 1869; Florida, June 14, 1869; New
Hampshire, July 1, 1869; Virginia, October 8, 1869; Vermont, October 20, 1869;
Missouri, January 7, 1870; Minnesota, January 13, 1870; Mississippi, January
17, 1870; Rhode Island, January 18, 1870; Kansas, January 19, 1870; Ohio,
January 27, 1870 (after having rejected it on April 30, 1869); Georgia,
February 2, 1870; Iowa, February 3, 1870.
- Ratification was completed on February 3, 1870, unless the withdrawal
of ratification by New York was effective; in which event ratification was
completed on February 17, 1870, when Nebraska ratified.
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by Texas, February 18, 1870;
New Jersey, February 15, 1871 (after having rejected it on February 7, 1870);
Delaware, February 12, 1901 (after having rejected it on March 18, 1869);
Oregon, February 24, 1959; California, April 3, 1962 (after having rejected it
on January 28, 1870); Kentucky, March 18, 1976 (after having rejected it on
March 12, 1869). The amendment was approved by the Governor of Maryland, May
7, 1973; Maryland having previously rejected it on February 26, 1870. The
amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by Tennessee, November
16, 1869.
Article XVI.
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from
whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and
without regard to any census or enumeration.
- Proposal and Ratification
- The sixteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-first Congress
on the 12th of July, 1909, and was declared, in a proclamation of the
Secretary of State, dated the 25th of February, 1913, to have been ratified by
36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Alabama, August 10, 1909;
Kentucky, February 8, 1910; South Carolina, February 19, 1910; Illinois, March
1, 1910; Mississippi, March 7, 1910; Oklahoma, March 10, 1910; Maryland, April
8, 1910; Georgia, August 3, 1910; Texas, August 16, 1910; Ohio, January 19,
1911; Idaho, January 20, 1911; Oregon, January 23, 1911; Washington, January
26, 1911; Montana, January 30, 1911; Indiana, January 30, 1911; California,
January 31, 1911; Nevada, January 31, 1911; South Dakota, February 3, 1911;
Nebraska, February 9, 1911; North Carolina, February 11, 1911; Colorado,
February 15, 1911; North Dakota, February 17, 1911; Kansas, February 18, 1911;
Michigan, February 23, 1911; Iowa, February 24, 1911; Missouri, March 16,
1911; Maine, March 31, 1911; Tennessee, April 7, 1911; Arkansas, April 22,
1911 (after having rejected it earlier); Wisconsin, May 26, 1911; New York,
July 12, 1911; Arizona, April 6, 1912; Minnesota, June 11, 1912; Louisiana,
June 28, 1912; West Virginia, January 31, 1913; New Mexico, February 3, 1913.
- Ratification was completed on February 3, 1913.
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, March 4,
1913; New Hampshire, March 7, 1913 (after having rejected it on March 2,
1911).
- The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by
Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Utah.
Article XVII.
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.
- Proposal and Ratification
- The seventeenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-second
Congress on the 13th of May, 1912, and was declared, in a proclamation of the
Secretary of State, dated the 31st of May, 1913, to have been ratified by the
legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were:
Massachusetts, May 22, 1912; Arizona, June 3, 1912; Minnesota, June 10, 1912;
New York, January 15, 1913; Kansas, January 17, 1913; Oregon, January 23,
1913; North Carolina, January 25, 1913; California, January 28, 1913;
Michigan, January 28, 1913; Iowa, January 30, 1913; Montana, January 30, 1913;
Idaho, January 31, 1913; West Virginia, February 4, 1913; Colorado, February
5, 1913; Nevada, February 6, 1913; Texas, February 7, 1913; Washington,
February 7, 1913; Wyoming, February 8, 1913; Arkansas, February 11, 1913;
Maine, February 11, 1913; Illinois, February 13, 1913; North Dakota, February
14, 1913; Wisconsin, February 18, 1913; Indiana, February 19, 1913; New
Hampshire, February 19, 1913; Vermont, February 19, 1913; South Dakota,
February 19, 1913; Oklahoma, February 24, 1913; Ohio, February 25, 1913;
Missouri, March 7, 1913; New Mexico, March 13, 1913; Nebraska, March 14, 1913;
New Jersey, March 17, 1913; Tennessee, April 1, 1913; Pennsylvania, April 2,
1913; Connecticut, April 8, 1913.
- Ratification was completed on April 8, 1913.
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by Louisiana, June 11, 1914.
The amendment was rejected by Utah (and not subsequently ratified) on February
26, 1913.
Article XVIII.
<5>
Section 1.
After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture,
sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof
into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory
subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
Section 2.
The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce
this article by appropriate legislation.
Section 3.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an
amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as
provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission
hereof to the States by the Congress.
- Proposal and Ratification
The eighteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-fifth
Congress, on the 18th of December, 1917, and was declared, in a proclamation
of the Secretary of State, dated the 29th of January, 1919, to have been
ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification
were: Mississippi, January 8, 1918; Virginia, January 11, 1918; Kentucky,
January 14, 1918; North Dakota, January 25, 1918; South Carolina, January 29,
1918; Maryland, February 13, 1918; Montana, February 19, 1918; Texas, March 4,
1918; Delaware, March 18, 1918; South Dakota, March 20, 1918; Massachusetts,
April 2, 1918; Arizona, May 24, 1918; Georgia, June 26, 1918; Louisiana,
August 3, 1918; Florida, December 3, 1918; Michigan, January 2, 1919; Ohio,
January 7, 1919; Oklahoma, January 7, 1919; Idaho, January 8, 1919; Maine,
January 8, 1919; West Virginia, January 9, 1919; California, January 13, 1919;
Tennessee, January 13, 1919; Washington, January 13, 1919; Arkansas, January
14, 1919; Kansas, January 14, 1919; Alabama, January 15, 1919; Colorado,
January 15, 1919; Iowa, January 15, 1919; New Hampshire, January 15, 1919;
Oregon, January 15, 1919; Nebraska, January 16, 1919; North Carolina, January
16, 1919; Utah, January 16, 1919; Missouri, January 16, 1919; Wyoming, January
16, 1919.
- Ratification was completed on January 16, 1919. See Dillon v. Gloss,
256 U.S. 368, 376 (1921).
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by Minnesota on January 17,
1919; Wisconsin, January 17, 1919; New Mexico, January 20, 1919; Nevada,
January 21, 1919; New York, January 29, 1919; Vermont, January 29, 1919;
Pennsylvania, February 25, 1919; Connecticut, May 6, 1919; and New Jersey,
March 9, 1922. The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by
Rhode Island.
Article XIX.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or
abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
- Proposal and Ratification
- The nineteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-sixth
Congress, on the 4th of June, 1919, and was declared, in a proclamation of the
Secretary of State, dated the 26th of August, 1920, to have been ratified by
the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were:
Illinois, June 10, 1919 (and that State readopted its resolution of
ratification June 17, 1919); Michigan, June 10, 1919; Wisconsin, June 10,
1919; Kansas, June 16, 1919; New York, June 16, 1919; Ohio, June 16, 1919;
Pennsylvania, June 24, 1919; Massachusetts, June 25, 1919; Texas, June 28,
1919; Iowa, July 2, 1919; Missouri, July 3, 1919; Arkansas, July 28, 1919;
Montana, August 2, 1919; Nebraska, August 2, 1919; Minnesota, September 8,
1919; New Hampshire, September 10, 1919; Utah, October 2, 1919; California,
November 1, 1919; Maine, November 5, 1919; North Dakota, December 1, 1919;
South Dakota, December 4, 1919; Colorado, December 15, 1919; Kentucky, January
6, 1920; Rhode Island, January 6, 1920; Oregon, January 13, 1920; Indiana,
January 16, 1920; Wyoming, January 27, 1920; Nevada, February 7, 1920; New
Jersey, February 9, 1920; Idaho, February 11, 1920; Arizona, February 12,
1920; New Mexico, February 21, 1920; Oklahoma, February 28, 1920; West
Virginia, March 10, 1920; Washington, March 22, 1920; Tennessee, August 18,
1920.
- Ratification was completed on August 18, 1920.
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by Connecticut on September 14,
1920 (and that State reaffirmed on September 21, 1920); Vermont, February 8,
1921; Delaware, March 6, 1923 (after having rejected it on June 2, 1920);
Maryland, March 29, 1941 (after having rejected it on February 24, 1920,
ratification certified on February 25, 1958); Virginia, February 21, 1952
(after having rejected it on February 12, 1920); Alabama, September 8, 1953
(after having rejected it on September 22, 1919); Florida, May 13, 1969; South
Carolina, July 1, 1969 (after having rejected it on January 28, 1920,
ratification certified on August 22, 1973); Georgia, February 20, 1970 (after
having rejected it on July 24, 1919); Louisiana, June 11, 1970 (after having
rejected it on July 1, 1920); North Carolina, May 6, 1971; Mississippi, March
22, 1984 (after having rejected it on March 29, 1920).
Article XX.
Section 1.
The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th
day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d
day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this
article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then
begin.
Section 2.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting
shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a
different day.
Section 3.
If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the
President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become
President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for
the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to
qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President
shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein
neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified,
declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to
act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President
or Vice President shall have qualified.
Section 4.
The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the
persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever
the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death
of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever
the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.
Section 5.
Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the
ratification of this article.
Section 6.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an
amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the
several States within seven years from the date of its submission.
- Proposal and Ratification
- The twentieth amendment to the Constitution was proposed to the
legislatures of the several states by the Seventy-Second Congress, on the 2d
day of March, 1932, and was declared, in a proclamation by the Secretary of
State, dated on the 6th day of February, 1933, to have been ratified by the
legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Virginia,
March 4, 1932; New York, March 11, 1932; Mississippi, March 16, 1932;
Arkansas, March 17, 1932; Kentucky, March 17, 1932; New Jersey, March 21,
1932; South Carolina, March 25, 1932; Michigan, March 31, 1932; Maine, April
1, 1932; Rhode Island, April 14, 1932; Illinois, April 21, 1932; Louisiana,
June 22, 1932; West Virginia, July 30, 1932; Pennsylvania, August 11, 1932;
Indiana, August 15, 1932; Texas, September 7, 1932; Alabama, September 13,
1932; California, January 4, 1933; North Carolina, January 5, 1933; North
Dakota, January 9, 1933; Minnesota, January 12, 1933; Arizona, January 13,
1933; Montana, January 13, 1933; Nebraska, January 13, 1933; Oklahoma, January
13, 1933; Kansas, January 16, 1933; Oregon, January 16, 1933; Delaware,
January 19, 1933; Washington, January 19, 1933; Wyoming, January 19, 1933;
Iowa, January 20, 1933; South Dakota, January 20, 1933; Tennessee, January 20,
1933; Idaho, January 21, 1933; New Mexico, January 21, 1933; Georgia, January
23, 1933; Missouri, January 23, 1933; Ohio, January 23, 1933; Utah, January
23, 1933.
- Ratification was completed on January 23, 1933.
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts on January 24,
1933; Wisconsin, January 24, 1933; Colorado, January 24, 1933; Nevada, January
26, 1933; Connecticut, January 27, 1933; New Hampshire, January 31, 1933;
Vermont, February 2, 1933; Maryland, March 24, 1933; Florida, April 26, 1933.
Article XXI.
Section 1.
The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States
is hereby repealed.
Section 2.
The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of
the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in
violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
Section 3.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an
amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided
in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof
to the States by the Congress.
- Proposal and Ratification
- The twenty-first amendment to the Constitution was proposed to the
several states by the Seventy-Second Congress, on the 20th day of February,
1933, and was declared, in a proclamation by the Secretary of State, dated on
the 5th day of December, 1933, to have been ratified by 36 of the 48 States.
The dates of ratification were: Michigan, April 10, 1933; Wisconsin, April 25,
1933; Rhode Island, May 8, 1933; Wyoming, May 25, 1933; New Jersey, June 1,
1933; Delaware, June 24, 1933; Indiana, June 26, 1933; Massachusetts, June 26,
1933; New York, June 27, 1933; Illinois, July 10, 1933; Iowa, July 10, 1933;
Connecticut, July 11, 1933; New Hampshire, July 11, 1933; California, July 24,
1933; West Virginia, July 25, 1933; Arkansas, August 1, 1933; Oregon, August
7, 1933; Alabama, August 8, 1933; Tennessee, August 11, 1933; Missouri, August
29, 1933; Arizona, September 5, 1933; Nevada, September 5, 1933; Vermont,
September 23, 1933; Colorado, September 26, 1933; Washington, October 3, 1933;
Minnesota, October 10, 1933; Idaho, October 17, 1933; Maryland, October 18,
1933; Virginia, October 25, 1933; New Mexico, November 2, 1933; Florida,
November 14, 1933; Texas, November 24, 1933; Kentucky, November 27, 1933;
Ohio, December 5, 1933; Pennsylvania, December 5, 1933; Utah, December 5,
1933.
- Ratification was completed on December 5, 1933.
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by Maine, on December 6, 1933,
and by Montana, on August 6, 1934. The amendment was rejected (and not
subsequently ratified) by South Carolina, on December 4, 1933.
Article XXII.
Section 1.
No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice,
and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for
more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President
shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article
shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article
was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be
holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within
which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or
acting as President during the remainder of such term.
Section 2. This article shall be
inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the
Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within
seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.
- Proposal and Ratification
- This amendment was proposed to the legislatures of the several States
by the Eightieth Congress on Mar. 21, 1947 by House Joint Res. No. 27, and was
declared by the Administrator of General Services, on Mar. 1, 1951, to have
been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of
ratification were: Maine, March 31, 1947; Michigan, March 31, 1947; Iowa,
April 1, 1947; Kansas, April 1, 1947; New Hampshire, April 1, 1947; Delaware,
April 2, 1947; Illinois, April 3, 1947; Oregon, April 3, 1947; Colorado, April
12, 1947; California, April 15, 1947; New Jersey, April 15, 1947; Vermont,
April 15, 1947; Ohio, April 16, 1947; Wisconsin, April 16, 1947; Pennsylvania,
April 29, 1947; Connecticut, May 21, 1947; Missouri, May 22, 1947; Nebraska,
May 23, 1947; Virginia, January 28, 1948; Mississippi, February 12, 1948; New
York, March 9, 1948; South Dakota, January 21, 1949; North Dakota, February
25, 1949; Louisiana, May 17, 1950; Montana, January 25, 1951; Indiana, January
29, 1951; Idaho, January 30, 1951; New Mexico, February 12, 1951; Wyoming,
February 12, 1951; Arkansas, February 15, 1951; Georgia, February 17, 1951;
Tennessee, February 20, 1951; Texas, February 22, 1951; Nevada, February 26,
1951; Utah, February 26, 1951; Minnesota, February 27, 1951.
- Ratification was completed on February 27, 1951.
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by North Carolina on February
28, 1951; South Carolina, March 13, 1951; Maryland, March 14, 1951; Florida,
April 16, 1951; Alabama, May 4, 1951. The amendment was rejected (and not
subsequently ratified) by Oklahoma in June 1947, and Massachusetts on June 9,
1949.
- Certification of Validity
- Publication of the certifying statement of the Administrator of General
Services that the amendment had become valid was made on Mar. 1, 1951, F.R.
Doc. 51 092940, 16 F.R. 2019.
Article XXIII.
Section 1.
The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall
appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct:
- A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole
number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would
be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous
State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they
shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice
President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the
District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of
amendment.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.
- Proposal and Ratification
- This amendment was proposed by the Eighty-sixth Congress on June 17,
1960 and was declared by the Administrator of General Services on Apr. 3,
1961, to have been ratified by 38 of the 50 States. The dates of ratification
were: Hawaii, June 23, 1960 (and that State made a technical correction to its
resolution on June 30, 1960); Massachusetts, August 22, 1960; New Jersey,
December 19, 1960; New York, January 17, 1961; California, January 19, 1961;
Oregon, January 27, 1961; Maryland, January 30, 1961; Idaho, January 31, 1961;
Maine, January 31, 1961; Minnesota, January 31, 1961; New Mexico, February 1,
1961; Nevada, February 2, 1961; Montana, February 6, 1961; South Dakota,
February 6, 1961; Colorado, February 8, 1961; Washington, February 9, 1961;
West Virginia, February 9, 1961; Alaska, February 10, 1961; Wyoming, February
13, 1961; Delaware, February 20, 1961; Utah, February 21, 1961; Wisconsin,
February 21, 1961; Pennsylvania, February 28, 1961; Indiana, March 3, 1961;
North Dakota, March 3, 1961; Tennessee, March 6, 1961; Michigan, March 8,
1961; Connecticut, March 9, 1961; Arizona, March 10, 1961; Illinois, March 14,
1961; Nebraska, March 15, 1961; Vermont, March 15, 1961; Iowa, March 16, 1961;
Missouri, March 20, 1961; Oklahoma, March 21, 1961; Rhode Island, March 22,
1961; Kansas, March 29, 1961; Ohio, March 29, 1961.
- Ratification was completed on March 29, 1961.
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by New Hampshire on March 30,
1961 (when that State annulled and then repeated its ratification of March 29,
1961). The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by Arkansas
on January 24, 1961.
- Certification of Validity
- Publication of the certifying statement of the Administrator of General
Services that the amendment had become valid was made on Apr. 3, 1961, F.R.
Doc. 61 093017, 26 F.R. 2808.
Article XXIV.
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other
election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice
President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or
abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll
tax or other tax.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.
- Proposal and Ratification
This amendment was proposed by the Eighty-seventh Congress by Senate
Joint Resolution No. 29, which was approved by the Senate on Mar. 27, 1962,
and by the House of Representatives on Aug. 27, 1962. It was declared by the
Administrator of General Services on Feb. 4, 1964, to have been ratified by
the legislatures of 38 of the 50 States. This amendment was ratified by the
following States: Illinois, November 14, 1962; New Jersey, December 3, 1962;
Oregon, January 25, 1963; Montana, January 28, 1963; West Virginia, February
1, 1963; New York, February 4, 1963; Maryland, February 6, 1963; California,
February 7, 1963; Alaska, February 11, 1963; Rhode Island, February 14, 1963;
Indiana, February 19, 1963; Utah, February 20, 1963; Michigan, February 20,
1963; Colorado, February 21, 1963; Ohio, February 27, 1963; Minnesota,
February 27, 1963; New Mexico, March 5, 1963; Hawaii, March 6, 1963; North
Dakota, March 7, 1963; Idaho, March 8, 1963; Washington, March 14, 1963;
Vermont, March 15, 1963; Nevada, March 19, 1963; Connecticut, March 20, 1963;
Tennessee, March 21, 1963; Pennsylvania, March 25, 1963; Wisconsin, March 26,
1963; Kansas, March 28, 1963; Massachusetts, March 28, 1963; Nebraska, April
4, 1963; Florida, April 18, 1963; Iowa, April 24, 1963; Delaware, May 1, 1963;
Missouri, May 13, 1963; New Hampshire, June 12, 1963; Kentucky, June 27, 1963;
Maine, January 16, 1964; South Dakota, January 23, 1964; Virginia, February
25, 1977.
- Ratification was completed on January 23, 1964.
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by North Carolina on May 3,
1989. The amendment was rejected by Mississippi (and not subsequently
ratified) on December 20, 1962. Certification of Validity Publication of the
certifying statement of the Administrator of General Services that the
amendment had become valid was made on Feb. 5, 1964, F.R. Doc. 64 091229, 29
F.R. 1715.
Article XXV.
Section 1.
In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or
resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
Section 2.
Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the
President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon
confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
Section 3.
Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he
is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he
transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties
shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.
Section 4.
Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers
of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law
provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is
unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President
shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting
President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the
Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration
that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office
unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the
executive department<6>
or of such other body
as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro
tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their
written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and
duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling
within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress,
within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if
Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to
assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is
unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President
shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the
President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
- Proposal and Ratification
This amendment was proposed by the Eighty-ninth Congress by Senate Joint
Resolution No. 1, which was approved by the Senate on Feb. 19, 1965, and by
the House of Representatives, in amended form, on Apr. 13, 1965. The House of
Representatives agreed to a Conference Report on June 30, 1965, and the Senate
agreed to the Conference Report on July 6, 1965. It was declared by the
Administrator of General Services, on Feb. 23, 1967, to have been ratified by
the legislatures of 39 of the 50 States. This amendment was ratified by the
following States: Nebraska, July 12, 1965; Wisconsin, July 13, 1965; Oklahoma,
July 16, 1965; Massachusetts, August 9, 1965; Pennsylvania, August 18, 1965;
Kentucky, September 15, 1965; Arizona, September 22, 1965; Michigan, October
5, 1965; Indiana, October 20, 1965; California, October 21, 1965; Arkansas,
November 4, 1965; New Jersey, November 29, 1965; Delaware, December 7, 1965;
Utah, January 17, 1966; West Virginia, January 20, 1966; Maine, January 24,
1966; Rhode Island, January 28, 1966; Colorado, February 3, 1966; New Mexico,
February 3, 1966; Kansas, February 8, 1966; Vermont, February 10, 1966;
Alaska, February 18, 1966; Idaho, March 2, 1966; Hawaii, March 3, 1966;
Virginia, March 8, 1966; Mississippi, March 10, 1966; New York, March 14,
1966; Maryland, March 23, 1966; Missouri, March 30, 1966; New Hampshire, June
13, 1966; Louisiana, July 5, 1966; Tennessee, January 12, 1967; Wyoming,
January 25, 1967; Washington, January 26, 1967; Iowa, January 26, 1967;
Oregon, February 2, 1967; Minnesota, February 10, 1967; Nevada, February 10,
1967.
- Ratification was completed on February 10, 1967.
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by Connecticut, February 14,
1967; Montana, February 15, 1967; South Dakota, March 6, 1967; Ohio, March 7,
1967; Alabama, March 14, 1967; North Carolina, March 22, 1967; Illinois, March
22, 1967; Texas, April 25, 1967; Florida, May 25, 1967.
- Certification of Validity
Publication of the certifying statement of the Administrator of General
Services that the amendment had become valid was made on Feb. 25, 1967, F.R.
Doc. 67 092208, 32 F.R. 3287.
Article XXVI.
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or
older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any
State on account of age.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.
- Proposal and Ratification
- This amendment was proposed by the Ninety-second Congress by Senate
Joint Resolution No. 7, which was approved by the Senate on Mar. 10, 1971, and
by the House of Representatives on Mar. 23, 1971. It was declared by the
Administrator of General Services on July 5, 1971, to have been ratified by
the legislatures of 39 of the 50 States. This amendment was ratified by the
following States: Connecticut, March 23, 1971; Delaware, March 23, 1971;
Minnesota, March 23, 1971; Tennessee, March 23, 1971; Washington, March 23,
1971; Hawaii, March 24, 1971; Massachusetts, March 24, 1971; Montana, March
29, 1971; Arkansas, March 30, 1971; Idaho, March 30, 1971; Iowa, March 30,
1971; Nebraska, April 2, 1971; New Jersey, April 3, 1971; Kansas, April 7,
1971; Michigan, April 7, 1971; Alaska, April 8, 1971; Maryland, April 8, 1971;
Indiana, April 8, 1971; Maine, April 9, 1971; Vermont, April 16, 1971;
Louisiana, April 17, 1971; California, April 19, 1971; Colorado, April 27,
1971; Pennsylvania, April 27, 1971; Texas, April 27, 1971; South Carolina,
April 28, 1971; West Virginia, April 28, 1971; New Hampshire, May 13, 1971;
Arizona, May 14, 1971; Rhode Island, May 27, 1971; New York, June 2, 1971;
Oregon, June 4, 1971; Missouri, June 14, 1971; Wisconsin, June 22, 1971;
Illinois, June 29, 1971; Alabama, June 30, 1971; Ohio, June 30, 1971; North
Carolina, July 1, 1971; Oklahoma, July 1, 1971.
- Ratification was completed on July 1, 1971.
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by Virginia, July 8, 1971;
Wyoming, July 8, 1971; Georgia, October 4, 1971.
- Certification of Validity
Publication of the certifying statement of the Administrator of General
Services that the amendment had become valid was made on July 7, 1971, F.R.
Doc. 71 099691, 36 F.R. 12725.
Article XXVII.
No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and
Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall
have intervened.
- Proposal and Ratification
- This amendment, being the second of twelve articles proposed by the
First Congress on Sept. 25, 1789, was declared by the Archivist of the United
States on May 18, 1992, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 40 of the
50 States. This amendment was ratified by the following States: Maryland,
December 19, 1789; North Carolina, December 22, 1789; South Carolina, January
19, 1790; Delaware, January 28, 1790; Vermont, November 3, 1791; Virginia,
December 15, 1791; Ohio, May 6, 1873; Wyoming, March 6, 1978; Maine, April 27,
1983; Colorado, April 22, 1984; South Dakota, February 21, 1985; New
Hampshire, March 7, 1985; Arizona, April 3, 1985; Tennessee, May 23, 1985;
Oklahoma, July 10, 1985; New Mexico, February 14, 1986; Indiana, February 24,
1986; Utah, February 25, 1986; Arkansas, March 6, 1987; Montana, March 17,
1987; Connecticut, May 13, 1987; Wisconsin, July 15, 1987; Georgia, February
2, 1988; West Virginia, March 10, 1988; Louisiana, July 7, 1988; Iowa,
February 9, 1989; Idaho, March 23, 1989; Nevada, April 26, 1989; Alaska, May
6, 1989; Oregon, May 19, 1989; Minnesota, May 22, 1989; Texas, May 25, 1989;
Kansas, April 5, 1990; Florida, May 31, 1990; North Dakota, March 25, 1991;
Alabama, May 5, 1992; Missouri, May 5, 1992; Michigan, May 7, 1992; New
Jersey, May 7, 1992.
- Ratification was completed on May 7, 1992.
- The amendment was subsequently ratified by Illinois on May 12, 1992.
- Certification of Validity
Publication of the certifying statement of the Archivist of the United
States that the amendment had become valid was made on May 18, 1992, F.R. Doc.
92 0911951, 57 F.R. 21187.
[Editorial note: There is some conflict as to the exact dates of
ratification of the amendments by the several States. In some cases, the
resolutions of ratification were signed by the officers of the legislatures on
dates subsequent to that on which the second house had acted. In other cases,
the Governors of several of the States "approved" the resolutions (on a
subsequent date), although action by the Governor is not contemplated by article
V, which required ratification by the legislatures (or conventions) only. In a
number of cases, the journals of the State legislatures are not available. The
dates set out in this document are based upon the best information available.]
Notes on the Amendments to the US Constitution
Note 1:
The first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States (and two
others, one of which failed of ratification and the other which later became the
27th amendment) were proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the
First Congress on September 25, 1789. The first ten amendments were ratified by
the following States, and the notifications of ratification by the Governors
thereof were successively communicated by the President to Congress: New Jersey,
November 20, 1789; Maryland, December 19, 1789; North Carolina, December 22,
1789; South Carolina, January 19, 1790; New Hampshire, January 25, 1790;
Delaware, January 28, 1790; New York, February 24, 1790; Pennsylvania, March 10,
1790; Rhode Island, June 7, 1790; Vermont, November 3, 1791; and Virginia,
December 15, 1791. Ratification was completed on December 15, 1791. The
amendments were subsequently ratified by the legislatures of Massachusetts,
March 2, 1939; Georgia, March 18, 1939; and Connecticut, April 19, 1939.
Note 2:
Only the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th articles of amendment had numbers
assigned to them at the time of ratification.
Note 3:
This sentence has been superseded by section 3 of
amendment XX.
Note 4:
See amendment XIX and section 1
of amendment XXVI.
Note 5:
Repealed by section 1 of
amendment XXI.
Note 6:
So in original. Probably should be "departments".
Home Up prince character esthetics101 protocols declaration_fr declaration_us constitution federalist1 federalist2
Victor J. Serge created this page and revised it
on 04/13/03