Constitutional Amendments 11 through 27
Amendment XI: Suits against states.
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.
Amendment XII: Election of executive branch.
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.
Amendment XIII: Prohibition of slavery
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.
Amendment XIV: Privileges or immunities, due process,
elections and debt.
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, 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.
Amendment XV: Race and the right to vote.
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.
Amendment XVI: Income tax.
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.
Amendment XVII: Senator election and number.
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 Ratification was completed on
April 8, 1913.
Amendment XVIII: Prohibition on sale of alcohol.
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
Amendment XIX: Sex and the right to vote.
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.
Amendment XX: "Lame duck" session of Congress eliminated.
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 his
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.
Amendment XXI: Repeal of Article XVIII.
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. Ratified) by South Carolina, on December 4, 1933.
Amendment XXII: Limit of Presidential terms.
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. Certification of Validity
Amendment XXIII: Election rules for the District of Columbia
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
Amendment XXIV: Taxes and the right to vote.
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.
Amendment XXV: Rules of Presidential succession.
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.
Amendment XXVI: Age and the right to vote.
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.
Amendment XXVII: Pay raises and Congress.
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.
Amendment XI: Suits against states.
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.
Amendment XII: Election of executive branch.
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.
Amendment XIII: Prohibition of slavery
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.
Amendment XIV: Privileges or immunities, due process,
elections and debt.
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, 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.
Amendment XV: Race and the right to vote.
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.
Amendment XVI: Income tax.
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.
Amendment XVII: Senator election and number.
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 Ratification was completed on
April 8, 1913.
Amendment XVIII: Prohibition on sale of alcohol.
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
Amendment XIX: Sex and the right to vote.
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.
Amendment XX: "Lame duck" session of Congress eliminated.
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 his
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.
Amendment XXI: Repeal of Article XVIII.
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. Ratified) by South Carolina, on December 4, 1933.
Amendment XXII: Limit of Presidential terms.
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. Certification of Validity
Amendment XXIII: Election rules for the District of Columbia
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
Amendment XXIV: Taxes and the right to vote.
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.
Amendment XXV: Rules of Presidential succession.
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.
Amendment XXVI: Age and the right to vote.
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.
Amendment XXVII: Pay raises and Congress.
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.
Illinois
Conservative Beacon
“Any act of the legislature repugnant to the Constitution is void.”
U.S. Supreme Court - 1803
Conservative Beacon
“Any act of the legislature repugnant to the Constitution is void.”
U.S. Supreme Court - 1803
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