Which amendment gives the right to elect U.S. Senators by popular vote?

• A. Amendment 16
• B. Amendment 17
• C. Amendment 18
• D. Amendment 19

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is direct popular elections of U.S. Senators. This change shifted how Senators are chosen from being appointed by state legislatures to being elected by the voters in each state, and it was ratified in 1913. Before this change, the Constitution allowed state legislatures to pick Senators, but that arrangement could lead to deadlocks in choosing a Senator, or influence and corruption from political maneuvering in those bodies. Moving to a system where Senators are elected by the people strengthens accountability to the voters and aligns federal representation with the principle of popular sovereignty. The other amendments mentioned deal with entirely different issues—one created a federal income tax, another enforced Prohibition, and another extended voting rights to women—so they do not address how Senators are elected.