17th Amendment
Definition
The 17th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1913, established the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote.
Analogy
Think of the 17th Amendment like a school election where students get to directly vote for their class president instead of teachers choosing who they think should be president.
Related terms
Direct Democracy: A form of government in which all laws are created by a general vote of society.
Bicameral Legislature: A legislative body with two branches or chambers, such as the U.S. Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and Senate.
Constitutional Amendment: A modification to the constitution of a nation or state; in this case, an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
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