Jonah Patel
The original U.S. Constitution, drafted in 1787, did not provide for the direct election of any federal officials. The Constitution's framers established a federal government with two houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together formed the legislative branch. The House of Representatives was to be directly elected by the people of each state, while the Senate was to be chosen by state legislatures. This system, known as federalism, was designed to balance the powers of the states and the federal government. However, over time, calls for reform led to the adoption of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, which provided for the direct election of senators by the people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who was directly elected? | The House of Representatives |
| Who elected the senators? | State legislatures |
| Who elects the senators now? | Voters/people |
| When was the direct election of senators implemented? | 1913 |
| What is the name of the amendment? | Seventeenth Amendment |
| What was the purpose of the amendment? | Adapting the country's legislative system for rapid changes |
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What You'll Learn
Senators were originally chosen by state legislatures
The original US Constitution, as conceived by the framers at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, did not provide for the direct election of senators by the voting public. Instead, Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution stipulated that senators from each state would be chosen by their respective state legislatures. This was in contrast to the House of Representatives, which was directly elected by the people of each state.
The decision to have state legislatures elect senators reassured anti-federalists that the federal government would not encroach on the powers of the states. It also allowed the Senate to serve as a counter to the populism of the House, with senators taking a more detached view of issues. Furthermore, it was believed that the state legislatures would act as a filtration system, producing better senators—the "elect of the elected".
The method of electing senators by state legislatures continued until the adoption of the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution in 1913. This amendment provided for the popular election of senators, allowing voters to cast direct votes for their representatives in the Senate. The push for direct election of senators gained momentum in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with some states adopting the Oregon system, which utilised state primary elections to identify voters' choices.
The Seventeenth Amendment altered the process for filling Senate vacancies, which originally required state legislatures to appoint temporary senators until a special election could be held. The amendment also had a significant impact on the political composition of the Senate, as it ensured that each vote was represented equally, rather than allowing malapportionment of state legislatures.
While the Seventeenth Amendment was a significant reform, it has faced legal disputes and criticism. Some have argued that it weakened the states' power over senatorial elections and that returning to the original system of state legislature selection would guarantee the state loyalty of elected leaders.
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The Seventeenth Amendment changed this to direct election
The Seventeenth Amendment, which was ratified on April 8, 1913, changed the process of electing senators in the United States. Before the amendment, senators were chosen by state legislatures, with each state legislature electing two senators for a six-year term. This was based on the idea that the Senate should be an "upper house" of "better men", conscientiously chosen by the upper houses of state legislatures for fixed terms, rather than being elected by popular vote. This was intended to provide a check on the power of the federal government and to counter the populism of the House of Representatives.
The Seventeenth Amendment modified Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution, allowing voters to directly elect their senators. This change gave new senators the freedom to make decisions based on the demands of their constituents, rather than the state legislatures. The amendment also addressed the issue of filling Senate vacancies, stating that when a vacancy occurs, the state's executive authority shall issue writs of election to fill the vacancy, and the legislature of the state may empower the executive to make temporary appointments.
The movement towards direct election gained momentum in the early 20th century, with resolutions calling for direct election appearing as early as 1826. In 1911, Senator Joseph Bristow of Kansas proposed a Senate resolution to amend the Constitution, and by 1912, 29 states had already adopted a system of direct election for senators. The push for reform was further galvanised by a series of articles published in 1906 by novelist David Graham Phillips, which offered an unsympathetic account of senators as pawns of industrialists and financiers.
The Seventeenth Amendment had a significant impact on the political composition of the Senate. With direct election, each vote was represented equally, and the Democrats were able to retain control of the Senate in the 1916 elections by picking up new seats in New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
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The Seventeenth Amendment was ratified in 1913
The Seventeenth Amendment, ratified in 1913, was a landmark legislation that altered the process of electing senators in the United States. Before the amendment, senators were chosen by state legislatures, with each state legislature electing two senators for a six-year term. This system was designed to reassure anti-federalists that the state governments would retain some power and provide a check on the federal government.
The idea of directly electing senators gained momentum as early as 1826, with resolutions appearing in the House of Representatives, but none succeeded. In 1906, publisher William Randolph Hearst, an advocate for direct election, hired novelist David Graham Phillips to write a series of articles on the subject. Published in Cosmopolitan magazine, the articles further galvanised public support for reform.
In 1911, Senator Joseph Bristow of Kansas proposed a Senate resolution to amend the Constitution, and it quickly gained support from other senators. By 1912, 29 states had already elected senators through a direct election process, either as nominees of their party's primary or in a general election.
The Seventeenth Amendment was approved by Congress on May 12, 1912, and was ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures by May 31, 1913. The amendment provided for the direct election of senators by the people of each state, giving voters more control over their representation in the Senate. This change brought about increased democratic participation and allowed senators to be directly accountable to the people they represent.
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The House of Representatives is directly elected
The House of Representatives operates on a two-year direct election cycle, making them frequently accountable to their constituents. This is in contrast to the Senate, where originally, state legislatures elected senators for a six-year term. This was changed with the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1913, which provided for the direct election of senators by the voting public.
The Seventeenth Amendment altered the process for electing senators and changed how vacancies would be filled. Before this amendment, the Constitution required state legislatures to fill Senate vacancies. The amendment gave each vote equal representation, allowing for a more democratic process.
The direct election of the House of Representatives ensures that they are accountable to their constituents and that the representatives reflect the diverse interests and perspectives of the people they serve. This system of representation is a fundamental aspect of the United States' democratic governance.
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The President is not directly elected
The President of the United States is not directly elected by the people. Instead, the President is chosen by the Electoral College, a system established in Article II, Section I of the Constitution. This system involves Electors from the states and the District of Columbia casting ballots for the President, rather than a direct popular vote. While most democratic nations elect their leaders through a direct vote, the United States has maintained the Electoral College system since its inception.
The Electoral College was designed to be a "deliberative" body, filtering public opinion through an intermediate institution. However, over time, the nature of the Electoral College has evolved. Originally, Electors were intended to exercise independent judgment in selecting the President. However, in modern times, Electors are typically appointed based on the vote totals in their respective states, with the winner of the popular vote in a state often determining which party's Electors are chosen.
The Electoral College system has been a source of recurring political controversy. One notable example is the 1800 election, where a constitutional glitch resulted in a tie between Thomas Jefferson and his running mate, Aaron Burr. This crisis led to the implementation of "contingent election" procedures, highlighting the complexities and potential pitfalls of the Electoral College system.
While there have been discussions and proposals for reform, the United States has not adopted a direct popular vote for presidential elections. The Electoral College system, as outlined in the original Constitution, remains in effect, albeit with some modifications to its original functioning. The selection of the President continues to be an indirect process, shaped by the unique dynamics of the Electoral College.
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Frequently asked questions
The House of Representatives was directly elected by the people of the states.
No, senators were chosen by state legislatures.
Senators were elected for a six-year term.
Senators were seen as "better men" of society, conscientiously chosen by the upper houses of state legislatures. This would provide greater stability than the House of Representatives.
The Seventeenth Amendment, passed on April 8, 1913, modified Article I, Section 3, of the Constitution by allowing voters to cast direct votes for US senators.
