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

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

• A. Nineteenth Amendment
• B. Seventeenth Amendment
• C. Twenty-first Amendment
• D. Twenty-second Amendment

Answer: (B)

The Seventeenth Amendment established direct election of U.S. Senators by the people, ratified in 1913. Before this amendment, Senators were chosen by state legislatures, which could lead to deadlocks or corruption and made Senators less directly accountable to voters. The amendment shifted the selection to popular vote in each state, so citizens now vote for two Senators to six-year terms. This change was part of Progressive Era reforms aimed at making the government more responsive to the people. The other amendments mentioned do not involve how Senators are elected: one expands voting rights to women, another ends Prohibition, and another limits presidential terms.

The Seventeenth Amendment established direct election of U.S. Senators by the people, ratified in 1913. Before this amendment, Senators were chosen by state legislatures, which could lead to deadlocks or corruption and made Senators less directly accountable to voters. The amendment shifted the selection to popular vote in each state, so citizens now vote for two Senators to six-year terms. This change was part of Progressive Era reforms aimed at making the government more responsive to the people. The other amendments mentioned do not involve how Senators are elected: one expands voting rights to women, another ends Prohibition, and another limits presidential terms.