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

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

• A. Amendment 15
• B. Amendment 16
• C. Amendment 17
• D. Amendment 18

Answer: (C)

The change being tested is how Senators are chosen. Originally, U.S. Senators were elected by state legislatures, but this process could be slow, corrupt, or deadlocked. The 17th Amendment, ratified in 1913, shifted the power to the people, requiring that Senators be elected directly by voters in each state in regular elections. This made the Senate more directly accountable to the people and reduced the chance that state politics would block or manipulate who sits in the chamber. For context, the other amendments mentioned addressed different reforms: the 15th secured voting rights for Black men, the 16th created the federal income tax, and the 18th established Prohibition.

The change being tested is how Senators are chosen. Originally, U.S. Senators were elected by state legislatures, but this process could be slow, corrupt, or deadlocked. The 17th Amendment, ratified in 1913, shifted the power to the people, requiring that Senators be elected directly by voters in each state in regular elections. This made the Senate more directly accountable to the people and reduced the chance that state politics would block or manipulate who sits in the chamber. For context, the other amendments mentioned addressed different reforms: the 15th secured voting rights for Black men, the 16th created the federal income tax, and the 18th established Prohibition.