Seventeenth Amendment

American  

noun

1. an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1913, providing for the election of two U.S. senators from each state by popular vote and for a term of six years.

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Example Sentences

Until the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, in 1913, senators were chosen by state legislatures, or, in many cases, not chosen, since legislatures frequently deadlocked and left the seats vacant.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 20, 2017

The Seventeenth Amendment replaced the previous system of having state legislatures choose senators.

From Textbooks • Dec. 30, 2014

Under the Seventeenth Amendment, citizens could elect their senators directly.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

The Seventeenth Amendment allowed the direct election of United States senators by the people.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

In the same year the Seventeenth Amendment provided for the direct election of United States Senators.

From Problems in American Democracy by Williamson, Thames Ross