40

unable to discharge the powers and duties oI his

oIIice, the Vice President shall continue to discharge
the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President
shall resume the powers and duties oI his oIIice.
AMENDMENT XXVI
Note. Amenament 14, section 2, of the Constitution
was moaifiea by section 1 of the 26th amenament.
Section 1. The right oI citizens oI the United
States, who are eighteen years oI age or older, to vote
shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or
by any State on account oI age.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to
enIorce this article by appropriate legislation.
AMENDMENT XXVII
No law, varying the compensation Ior the services
oI the Senators and Representatives, shall take eIIect,
until an election oI representatives shall have
intervened.


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1
THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE UNITED STATES

We the People oI the United States, in Order
to Iorm a more perIect Union, establish Justice, insure
domestic Tranquility, provide Ior the common
deIence, promote the general WelIare, and secure the
Blessings oI Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do
ordain and establish this Constitution Ior the United
States oI America.
Article. I.
Section. 1. All legislative Powers herein granted
shall be vested in a Congress oI the United States,
which shall consist oI a Senate and House oI
Representatives.
Section. 2. The House oI Representatives shall be
composed oI Members chosen every second Year by
the People oI the several States, and the Electors in
each State shall have the QualiIications requisite Ior
Electors oI the most numerous Branch oI the State
Legislature.
No Person shall be a Representative who shall not
have attained to the Age oI twenty Iive Years, and
been seven Years a Citizen oI the United States, and
2 1
G o v e r n m e n t , a n d s h a l l p r o t e c t e a c h o I t h e m a g a i n s t
I n v a s i o n ; a n d o n A p p l i c a t i o n o I t h e L e g i s l a t u r e , o r o I
t h e E x e c u t i v e ( w h e n t h e L e g i s l a t u r e c a n n o t b e
c o n v e n e d ) , a g a i n s t d o m e s t i c V i o l e n c e .
A r t i c l e . V .
T h e C o n g r e s s , w h e n e v e r t w o t h i r d s o I b o t h H o u s e s
s h a l l d e e m i t n e c e s s a r y , s h a l l p r o p o s e A m e n d m e n t s t o
t h i s C o n s t i t u t i o n , o r , o n t h e A p p l i c a t i o n o I t h e
L e g i s l a t u r e s o I t w o t h i r d s o I t h e s e v e r a l S t a t e s , s h a l l
c a l l a C o n v e n t i o n I o r p r o p o s i n g A m e n d m e n t s , w h i c h ,
i n e i t h e r C a s e , s h a l l b e v a l i d t o a l l I n t e n t s a n d
P u r p o s e s , a s P a r t o I t h i s C o n s t i t u t i o n , w h e n r a t i I i e d b y
t h e L e g i s l a t u r e s o I t h r e e I o u r t h s o I t h e s e v e r a l S t a t e s ,
o r b y C o n v e n t i o n s i n t h r e e I o u r t h s t h e r e o I , a s t h e o n e
o r t h e o t h e r M o d e o I R a t i I i c a t i o n m a y b e p r o p o s e d b y
t h e C o n g r e s s ; P r o v i d e d t h a t n o A m e n d m e n t w h i c h
m a y b e m a d e p r i o r t o t h e Y e a r O n e t h o u s a n d e i g h t
h u n d r e d a n d e i g h t s h a l l i n a n y M a n n e r a I I e c t t h e I i r s t
a n d I o u r t h C l a u s e s i n t h e N i n t h S e c t i o n o I t h e I i r s t
A r t i c l e ; a n d t h a t n o S t a t e , w i t h o u t i t s C o n s e n t , s h a l l b e
d e p r i v e d o I i t s e q u a l S u I I r a g e i n t h e S e n a t e .
A r t i c l e . V I .
A l l D e b t s c o n t r a c t e d a n d E n g a g e m e n t s e n t e r e d
i n t o , b e I o r e t h e A d o p t i o n o I t h i s C o n s t i t u t i o n , s h a l l b e
a s v a l i d a g a i n s t t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s u n d e r t h i s
C o n s t i t u t i o n , a s u n d e r t h e C o n I e d e r a t i o n .
2 0
a n d b e I o u n d i n a n o t h e r S t a t e , s h a l l o n D e m a n d o I t h e
e x e c u t i v e A u t h o r i t y o I t h e S t a t e I r o m w h i c h h e I l e d ,
b e d e l i v e r e d u p , t o b e r e m o v e d t o t h e S t a t e h a v i n g
J u r i s d i c t i o n o I t h e C r i m e .
| N o P e r s o n h e l d t o S e r v i c e o r L a b o u r i n o n e S t a t e ,
u n d e r t h e L a w s t h e r e o I , e s c a p i n g i n t o a n o t h e r , s h a l l , i n
C o n s e q u e n c e o I a n y L a w o r R e g u l a t i o n t h e r e i n , b e
d i s c h a r g e d I r o m s u c h S e r v i c e o r L a b o u r , b u t s h a l l b e
d e l i v e r e d u p o n C l a i m o I t h e P a r t y t o w h o m s u c h
S e r v i c e o r L a b o u r m a y b e d u e . | ( N o t e . s u p e r s e a e a b y
t h e 1 3 t h a m e n a m e n t )
S e c t i o n . 3 . N e w S t a t e s m a y b e a d m i t t e d b y t h e
C o n g r e s s i n t o t h i s U n i o n ; b u t n o n e w S t a t e s h a l l b e
I o r m e d o r e r e c t e d w i t h i n t h e J u r i s d i c t i o n o I a n y o t h e r
S t a t e ; n o r a n y S t a t e b e I o r m e d b y t h e J u n c t i o n o I t w o
o r m o r e S t a t e s , o r P a r t s o I S t a t e s , w i t h o u t t h e C o n s e n t
o I t h e L e g i s l a t u r e s o I t h e S t a t e s c o n c e r n e d a s w e l l a s
o I t h e C o n g r e s s .
T h e C o n g r e s s s h a l l h a v e P o w e r t o d i s p o s e o I a n d
m a k e a l l n e e d I u l R u l e s a n d R e g u l a t i o n s r e s p e c t i n g t h e
T e r r i t o r y o r o t h e r P r o p e r t y b e l o n g i n g t o t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s ; a n d n o t h i n g i n t h i s C o n s t i t u t i o n s h a l l b e s o
c o n s t r u e d a s t o P r e j u d i c e a n y C l a i m s o I t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s , o r o I a n y p a r t i c u l a r S t a t e .
S e c t i o n . 4 . T h e U n i t e d S t a t e s s h a l l g u a r a n t e e t o
e v e r y S t a t e i n t h i s U n i o n a R e p u b l i c a n F o r m o I
2
who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant oI that
State in which he shall be chosen.
|Representatives and direct Taxes shall be
apportioned among the several States which may be
included within this Union, according to their
respective Numbers, which shall be determined by
adding to the whole Number oI Iree Persons,
including those bound to Service Ior a Term oI Years,
and excluding Indians not taxed, three IiIths oI all
other Persons.| (Note. moaifiea by section 2 of the
14th amenament) The actual Enumeration shall be
made within three Years aIter the Iirst Meeting oI the
Congress oI the United States, and within every
subsequent Term oI ten Years, in such Manner as they
shall by Law direct. The Number oI Representatives
shall not exceed one Ior every thirty Thousand, but
each State shall have at Least one Representative; and
until such enumeration shall be made, the State oI
New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three,
Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence
Plantations one, Connecticut Iive, New-York six, New
Jersey Iour, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one,
Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina Iive, South
Carolina Iive, and Georgia three.
39
Congress may by law provide, transmit to the
President pro tempore oI the Senate and the Speaker
oI the House oI Representatives their written
declaration that the President is unable to discharge
the powers and duties oI his oIIice, the Vice President
shall immediately assume the powers and duties oI the
oIIice as Acting President.
ThereaIter, when the President transmits to the
President pro tempore oI the Senate and the Speaker
oI the House oI Representatives his written declaration
that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and
duties oI his oIIice unless the Vice President and a
majority oI either the principal oIIicers oI the
executive department or oI such other body as
Congress may by law provide, transmit within Iour
days to the President pro tempore oI the Senate and
the Speaker oI the House oI Representatives their
written declaration that the President is unable to
discharge the powers and duties oI his oIIice.
Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue,
assembling within Iorty-eight hours Ior that purpose iI
not in session. II the Congress, within twenty-one days
aIter receipt oI the latter written declaration, or, iI
Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days
aIter Congress is required to assemble, determines by
two-thirds vote oI both Houses that the President is
1 9
h e l d i n t h e S t a t e w h e r e t h e s a i d C r i m e s s h a l l h a v e
b e e n c o m m i t t e d ; b u t w h e n n o t c o m m i t t e d w i t h i n a n y
S t a t e , t h e T r i a l s h a l l b e a t s u c h P l a c e o r P l a c e s a s t h e
C o n g r e s s m a y b y L a w h a v e d i r e c t e d .
S e c t i o n . 3 . T r e a s o n a g a i n s t t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , s h a l l
c o n s i s t o n l y i n l e v y i n g W a r a g a i n s t t h e m , o r i n
a d h e r i n g t o t h e i r E n e m i e s , g i v i n g t h e m A i d a n d
C o m I o r t . N o P e r s o n s h a l l b e c o n v i c t e d o I T r e a s o n
u n l e s s o n t h e T e s t i m o n y o I t w o W i t n e s s e s t o t h e s a m e
o v e r t A c t , o r o n C o n I e s s i o n i n o p e n C o u r t .
T h e C o n g r e s s s h a l l h a v e P o w e r t o d e c l a r e t h e
P u n i s h m e n t o I T r e a s o n , b u t n o A t t a i n d e r o I T r e a s o n
s h a l l w o r k C o r r u p t i o n o I B l o o d , o r F o r I e i t u r e e x c e p t
d u r i n g t h e L i I e o I t h e P e r s o n a t t a i n t e d .
A r t i c l e . I V .
S e c t i o n . 1 . F u l l F a i t h a n d C r e d i t s h a l l b e g i v e n i n
e a c h S t a t e t o t h e p u b l i c A c t s , R e c o r d s , a n d j u d i c i a l
P r o c e e d i n g s o I e v e r y o t h e r S t a t e . A n d t h e C o n g r e s s
m a y b y g e n e r a l L a w s p r e s c r i b e t h e M a n n e r i n w h i c h
s u c h A c t s , R e c o r d s a n d P r o c e e d i n g s s h a l l b e p r o v e d ,
a n d t h e E I I e c t t h e r e o I .
S e c t i o n . 2 . T h e C i t i z e n s o I e a c h S t a t e s h a l l b e
e n t i t l e d t o a l l P r i v i l e g e s a n d I m m u n i t i e s o I C i t i z e n s i n
t h e s e v e r a l S t a t e s .
A P e r s o n c h a r g e d i n a n y S t a t e w i t h T r e a s o n ,
F e l o n y , o r o t h e r C r i m e , w h o s h a l l I l e e I r o m J u s t i c e ,
2 2
T h i s C o n s t i t u t i o n , a n d t h e L a w s o I t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s w h i c h s h a l l b e m a d e i n P u r s u a n c e t h e r e o I ; a n d
a l l T r e a t i e s m a d e , o r w h i c h s h a l l b e m a d e , u n d e r t h e
A u t h o r i t y o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , s h a l l b e t h e s u p r e m e
L a w o I t h e L a n d ; a n d t h e J u d g e s i n e v e r y S t a t e s h a l l
b e b o u n d t h e r e b y , a n y T h i n g i n t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o r
L a w s o I a n y S t a t e t o t h e C o n t r a r y n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g .
T h e S e n a t o r s a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s b e I o r e
m e n t i o n e d , a n d t h e M e m b e r s o I t h e s e v e r a l S t a t e
L e g i s l a t u r e s , a n d a l l e x e c u t i v e a n d j u d i c i a l O I I i c e r s ,
b o t h o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d o I t h e s e v e r a l S t a t e s ,
s h a l l b e b o u n d b y O a t h o r A I I i r m a t i o n , t o s u p p o r t t h i s
C o n s t i t u t i o n ; b u t n o r e l i g i o u s T e s t s h a l l e v e r b e
r e q u i r e d a s a Q u a l i I i c a t i o n t o a n y O I I i c e o r p u b l i c
T r u s t u n d e r t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
A r t i c l e . V I I .
T h e R a t i I i c a t i o n o I t h e C o n v e n t i o n s o I n i n e S t a t e s ,
s h a l l b e s u I I i c i e n t I o r t h e E s t a b l i s h m e n t o I t h i s
C o n s t i t u t i o n b e t w e e n t h e S t a t e s s o r a t i I y i n g t h e S a m e .
A t t e s t W i l l i a m J a c k s o n S e c r e t a r y
D o n e i n C o n v e n t i o n b y t h e U n a n i m o u s C o n s e n t o I
t h e S t a t e s p r e s e n t t h e S e v e n t e e n t h D a y o I S e p t e m b e r
i n t h e Y e a r o I o u r L o r d o n e t h o u s a n d s e v e n h u n d r e d
a n d E i g h t y s e v e n a n d o I t h e I n d e p e n d e n c e o I t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s o I A m e r i c a t h e T w e l I t h I n w i t n e s s
w h e r e o I W e h a v e h e r e u n t o s u b s c r i b e d o u r N a m e s ,
38
United States or any State by reason oI Iailure to pay
poll tax or other tax.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to
enIorce this article by appropriate legislation.
AMENDMENT XXV
Note. Article II, section 1, of the Constitution was
affectea by the 25th amenament.
Section 1. In case oI the removal oI the President
Irom oIIice or oI his death or resignation, the Vice
President shall become President.
Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the
oIIice oI the Vice President, the President shall
nominate a Vice President who shall take oIIice upon
conIirmation by a majority vote oI both Houses oI
Congress.
Section 3. Whenever the President transmits to the
President pro tempore oI the Senate and the Speaker
oI the House oI Representatives his written declaration
that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties oI
his oIIice, 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 oI either the principal oIIicers oI the
executive departments or oI such other body as
3
When vacancies happen in the Representation Irom
any State, the Executive Authority thereoI shall issue
Writs oI Election to Iill such Vacancies.
The House oI Representatives shall chuse their
Speaker and other OIIicers; and shall have the sole
Power oI Impeachment.
Section. 3. The Senate oI the United States shall be
composed oI two Senators Irom each State, |chosen
by the Legislature| (Note. moaifiea by the 17th
amenament) thereoI Ior six Years; and each Senator
shall have one Vote.
Immediately aIter they shall be assembled in
Consequence oI the Iirst Election, they shall be
divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The
Seats oI the Senators oI the Iirst Class shall be vacated
at the Expiration oI the second Year, oI the second
Class at the Expiration oI the Iourth Year, and oI the
third Class at the Expiration oI the sixth Year, so that
one third may be chosen every second Year; |and iI
Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise,
during the Recess oI the Legislature oI any State, the
Executive thereoI may make temporary Appointments
until the next Meeting oI the Legislature, which shall
then Iill such Vacancies.| (Note. moaifiea by the 17th
amenament)
2 3
G . W a s h i n g t o n - P r e s i d t a n d d e p u t y I r o m V i r g i n i a
D e l a w a r e - G e o : R e a d , G u n n i n g B e d I o r d j u n , J o h n
D i c k i n s o n , R i c h a r d B a s s e t t , J a c o : B r o o m
M a r y l a n d - J a m e s M c H e n r y , D a n o I S t T h o s . J e n i I e r ,
D a n l . C a r r o l l
V i r g i n i a - J o h n B l a i r , J a m e s M a d i s o n J r .
N o r t h C a r o l i n a - W m . B l o u n t , R i c h d . D o b b s S p a i g h t ,
H u W i l l i a m s o n
S o u t h C a r o l i n a - J . R u t l e d g e , C h a r l e s C o t e s w o r t h
P i n c k n e y , C h a r l e s P i n c k n e y , P i e r c e B u t l e r
G e o r g i a - W i l l i a m F e w , A b r B a l d w i n
N e w H a m p s h i r e - J o h n L a n g d o n , N i c h o l a s G i l m a n
M a s s a c h u s e t t s - N a t h a n i e l G o r h a m , R u I u s K i n g
C o n n e c t i c u t - W m . S a m l . J o h n s o n , R o g e r S h e r m a n
N e w Y o r k - A l e x a n d e r H a m i l t o n
N e w J e r s e y - W i l : L i v i n g s t o n , D a v i d B r e a r l e y , W m .
P a t e r s o n , J o n a : D a y t o n
P e n n s y l v a n i a - B F r a n k l i n , T h o m a s M i I I l i n , R o b t .
M o r r i s , G e o . C l y m e r , T h o s . F i t z S i m o n s , J a r e d
I n g e r s o l l , J a m e s W i l s o n , G o u v M o r r i s

1 8
t h e i r S e r v i c e s a C o m p e n s a t i o n , w h i c h s h a l l n o t b e
d i m i n i s h e d d u r i n g t h e i r C o n t i n u a n c e i n O I I i c e .
S e c t i o n . 2 . T h e j u d i c i a l P o w e r s h a l l e x t e n d t o a l l
C a s e s , i n L a w a n d E q u i t y , a r i s i n g u n d e r t h i s
C o n s t i t u t i o n , t h e L a w s o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , a n d
T r e a t i e s m a d e , o r w h i c h s h a l l b e m a d e , u n d e r t h e i r
A u t h o r i t y ; - - t o a l l C a s e s a I I e c t i n g A m b a s s a d o r s , o t h e r
p u b l i c M i n i s t e r s a n d C o n s u l s ; - - t o a l l C a s e s o I
a d m i r a l t y a n d m a r i t i m e J u r i s d i c t i o n ; - - t o C o n t r o v e r s i e s
t o w h i c h t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s s h a l l b e a P a r t y ; - - t o
C o n t r o v e r s i e s b e t w e e n t w o o r m o r e S t a t e s ; - - | b e t w e e n
a S t a t e a n d C i t i z e n s o I a n o t h e r S t a t e | ( N o t e . m o a i f i e a
b y a m e n a m e n t 1 1 ) , - - b e t w e e n C i t i z e n s o I d i I I e r e n t
S t a t e s , - - b e t w e e n C i t i z e n s o I t h e s a m e S t a t e c l a i m i n g
L a n d s u n d e r G r a n t s o I d i I I e r e n t S t a t e s , a n d b e t w e e n a
S t a t e , o r t h e C i t i z e n s t h e r e o I , a n d I o r e i g n S t a t e s ,
C i t i z e n s o r S u b j e c t s .
I n a l l C a s e s a I I e c t i n g A m b a s s a d o r s , o t h e r p u b l i c
M i n i s t e r s a n d C o n s u l s , a n d t h o s e i n w h i c h a S t a t e
s h a l l b e P a r t y , t h e s u p r e m e C o u r t s h a l l h a v e o r i g i n a l
J u r i s d i c t i o n . I n a l l t h e o t h e r C a s e s b e I o r e m e n t i o n e d ,
t h e s u p r e m e C o u r t s h a l l h a v e a p p e l l a t e J u r i s d i c t i o n ,
b o t h a s t o L a w a n d F a c t , w i t h s u c h E x c e p t i o n s , a n d
u n d e r s u c h R e g u l a t i o n s a s t h e C o n g r e s s s h a l l m a k e .
T h e T r i a l o I a l l C r i m e s , e x c e p t i n C a s e s o I
I m p e a c h m e n t , s h a l l b e b y J u r y ; a n d s u c h T r i a l s h a l l b e
4
No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have
attained to the Age oI thirty Years, and been nine
Years a Citizen oI the United States, and who shall
not, when elected, be an Inhabitant oI that State Ior
which he shall be chosen.
The Vice President oI the United States shall be
President oI the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless
they be equally divided.
The Senate shall chuse their other OIIicers, and
also a President pro tempore, in the Absence oI the
Vice President, or when he shall exercise the OIIice oI
President oI the United States.
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all
Impeachments. When sitting Ior that Purpose, they
shall be on Oath or AIIirmation. When the President
oI the United States is tried, the ChieI Justice shall
preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the
Concurrence oI two thirds oI the Members present.
Judgment in Cases oI Impeachment shall not
extend Iurther than to removal Irom OIIice, and
disqualiIication to hold and enjoy any OIIice oI honor,
Trust or ProIit under the United States: but the Party
convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to
Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment,
according to Law.
37
several States within seven years Irom the date oI its
submission to the States by the Congress.
AMENDMENT XXIII
Section 1. The District constituting the seat oI
Government oI the United States shall appoint in such
manner as Congress may direct:
A number oI electors oI President and Vice
President equal to the whole number oI Senators and
Representatives in Congress to which the District
would be entitled iI 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, Ior the purposes oI the election oI
President and Vice President, to be electors appointed
by a State; and they shall meet in the District and
perIorm such duties as provided by the twelIth article
oI amendment.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to
enIorce this article by appropriate legislation.
AMENDMENT XXIV
Section 1. The right oI citizens oI the United States
to vote in any primary or other election Ior President
or Vice President, Ior electors Ior President or Vice
President, or Ior Senator or Representative in
Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the
1 7
S e n a t e , b y g r a n t i n g C o m m i s s i o n s w h i c h s h a l l e x p i r e
a t t h e E n d o I t h e i r n e x t S e s s i o n .
S e c t i o n . 3 . H e s h a l l I r o m t i m e t o t i m e g i v e t o t h e
C o n g r e s s I n I o r m a t i o n o I t h e S t a t e o I t h e U n i o n , a n d
r e c o m m e n d t o t h e i r C o n s i d e r a t i o n s u c h M e a s u r e s a s
h e s h a l l j u d g e n e c e s s a r y a n d e x p e d i e n t ; h e m a y , o n
e x t r a o r d i n a r y O c c a s i o n s , c o n v e n e b o t h H o u s e s , o r
e i t h e r o I t h e m , a n d i n C a s e o I D i s a g r e e m e n t b e t w e e n
t h e m , w i t h R e s p e c t t o t h e T i m e o I A d j o u r n m e n t , h e
m a y a d j o u r n t h e m t o s u c h T i m e a s h e s h a l l t h i n k
p r o p e r ; h e s h a l l r e c e i v e A m b a s s a d o r s a n d o t h e r p u b l i c
M i n i s t e r s ; h e s h a l l t a k e C a r e t h a t t h e L a w s b e
I a i t h I u l l y e x e c u t e d , a n d s h a l l C o m m i s s i o n a l l t h e
O I I i c e r s o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
S e c t i o n . 4 . T h e P r e s i d e n t , V i c e P r e s i d e n t a n d a l l
c i v i l O I I i c e r s o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , s h a l l b e r e m o v e d
I r o m O I I i c e o n I m p e a c h m e n t I o r , a n d C o n v i c t i o n o I ,
T r e a s o n , B r i b e r y , o r o t h e r h i g h C r i m e s a n d
M i s d e m e a n o r s .
A r t i c l e I I I .
S e c t i o n . 1 . T h e j u d i c i a l P o w e r o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
s h a l l b e v e s t e d i n o n e s u p r e m e C o u r t , a n d i n s u c h
i n I e r i o r C o u r t s a s t h e C o n g r e s s m a y I r o m t i m e t o t i m e
o r d a i n a n d e s t a b l i s h . T h e J u d g e s , b o t h o I t h e s u p r e m e
a n d i n I e r i o r C o u r t s , s h a l l h o l d t h e i r O I I i c e s d u r i n g
g o o d B e h a v i o u r , a n d s h a l l , a t s t a t e d T i m e s , r e c e i v e I o r
2 4
A m e n d m e n t I
N o t e . A m e n a m e n t s 1 - 1 0 c o n s t i t u t e w h a t i s k n o w n a s
t h e B i l l o f R i g h t s .
C o n g r e s s s h a l l m a k e n o l a w r e s p e c t i n g a n
e s t a b l i s h m e n t o I r e l i g i o n , o r p r o h i b i t i n g t h e I r e e
e x e r c i s e t h e r e o I ; o r a b r i d g i n g t h e I r e e d o m o I s p e e c h ,
o r o I t h e p r e s s ; o r t h e r i g h t o I t h e p e o p l e p e a c e a b l y t o
a s s e m b l e , a n d t o p e t i t i o n t h e G o v e r n m e n t I o r a r e d r e s s
o I g r i e v a n c e s .
A m e n d m e n t I I
A w e l l r e g u l a t e d M i l i t i a , b e i n g n e c e s s a r y t o t h e
s e c u r i t y o I a I r e e S t a t e , t h e r i g h t o I t h e p e o p l e t o k e e p
a n d b e a r A r m s , s h a l l n o t b e i n I r i n g e d .
A m e n d m e n t I I I
N o S o l d i e r s h a l l , i n t i m e o I p e a c e b e q u a r t e r e d i n
a n y h o u s e , w i t h o u t t h e c o n s e n t o I t h e O w n e r , n o r i n
t i m e o I w a r , b u t i n a m a n n e r t o b e p r e s c r i b e d b y l a w .
A m e n d m e n t I V
T h e r i g h t o I t h e p e o p l e t o b e s e c u r e i n t h e i r
p e r s o n s , h o u s e s , p a p e r s , a n d e I I e c t s , a g a i n s t
u n r e a s o n a b l e s e a r c h e s a n d s e i z u r e s , s h a l l n o t b e
v i o l a t e d , a n d n o W a r r a n t s s h a l l i s s u e , b u t u p o n
p r o b a b l e c a u s e , s u p p o r t e d b y O a t h o r a I I i r m a t i o n , a n d
p a r t i c u l a r l y d e s c r i b i n g t h e p l a c e t o b e s e a r c h e d , a n d
t h e p e r s o n s o r t h i n g s t o b e s e i z e d .
36
Ior delivery or use therein oI intoxicating liquors, in
violation oI the laws thereoI, is hereby prohibited.
Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it
shall have been ratiIied as an amendment to the
Constitution by conventions in the several States, as
provided in the Constitution, within seven years Irom
the date oI the submission hereoI to the States by the
Congress.
AMENDMENT XXII
Section 1. No person shall be elected to the oIIice
oI the President more than twice, and no person who
has held the oIIice oI President, or acted as President,
Ior more than two years oI a term to which some other
person was elected President shall be elected to the
oIIice oI President more than once. But this Article
shall not apply to any person holding the oIIice oI
President when this Article was proposed by
Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may
be holding the oIIice oI President, or acting as
President, during the term within which this Article
becomes operative Irom holding the oIIice oI
President or acting as President during the remainder
oI such term.
Section 2. This article shall be inoperative unless it
shall have been ratiIied as an amendment to the
Constitution by the legislatures oI three-Iourths oI the
5
Section. 4. The Times, Places and Manner oI
holding Elections Ior Senators and Representatives,
shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature
thereoI; but the Congress may at any time by Law
make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places
oI chusing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every
Year, and such Meeting shall |be on the Iirst Monday
in December| (Note. moaifiea by section 2 of the 20th
amenament), unless they shall by Law appoint a
diIIerent Day.
Section. 5. Each House shall be the Judge oI the
Elections, Returns and QualiIications oI its own
Members, and a Majority oI each shall constitute a
Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may
adjourn Irom day to day, and may be authorized to
compel the Attendance oI absent Members, in such
Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may
provide.
Each House may determine the Rules oI its
Proceedings, punish its Members Ior disorderly
Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence oI two thirds,
expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal oI its Proceedings,
and Irom time to time publish the same, excepting
such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy;
2 5
A m e n d m e n t V
N o p e r s o n s h a l l b e h e l d t o a n s w e r I o r a c a p i t a l , o r
o t h e r w i s e i n I a m o u s c r i m e , u n l e s s o n a p r e s e n t m e n t o r
i n d i c t m e n t o I a G r a n d J u r y , e x c e p t i n c a s e s a r i s i n g i n
t h e l a n d o r n a v a l I o r c e s , o r i n t h e M i l i t i a , w h e n i n
a c t u a l s e r v i c e i n t i m e o I W a r o r p u b l i c d a n g e r ; n o r
s h a l l a n y p e r s o n b e s u b j e c t I o r t h e s a m e o I I e n c e t o b e
t w i c e p u t i n j e o p a r d y o I l i I e o r l i m b ; n o r s h a l l b e
c o m p e l l e d i n a n y c r i m i n a l c a s e t o b e a w i t n e s s a g a i n s t
h i m s e l I , n o r b e d e p r i v e d o I l i I e , l i b e r t y , o r p r o p e r t y ,
w i t h o u t d u e p r o c e s s o I l a w ; n o r s h a l l p r i v a t e p r o p e r t y
b e t a k e n I o r p u b l i c u s e , w i t h o u t j u s t c o m p e n s a t i o n .
A m e n d m e n t V I
I n a l l c r i m i n a l p r o s e c u t i o n s , t h e a c c u s e d s h a l l e n j o y
t h e r i g h t t o a s p e e d y a n d p u b l i c t r i a l , b y a n i m p a r t i a l
j u r y o I t h e S t a t e a n d d i s t r i c t w h e r e i n t h e c r i m e s h a l l
h a v e b e e n c o m m i t t e d , w h i c h d i s t r i c t s h a l l h a v e b e e n
p r e v i o u s l y a s c e r t a i n e d b y l a w , a n d t o b e i n I o r m e d o I
t h e n a t u r e a n d c a u s e o I t h e a c c u s a t i o n ; t o b e
c o n I r o n t e d w i t h t h e w i t n e s s e s a g a i n s t h i m ; t o h a v e
c o m p u l s o r y p r o c e s s I o r o b t a i n i n g w i t n e s s e s i n h i s
I a v o r , a n d t o h a v e t h e A s s i s t a n c e o I C o u n s e l I o r h i s
d e I e n c e .
1 6
S e c t i o n . 2 . T h e P r e s i d e n t s h a l l b e C o m m a n d e r i n
C h i e I o I t h e A r m y a n d N a v y o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , a n d
o I t h e M i l i t i a o I t h e s e v e r a l S t a t e s , w h e n c a l l e d i n t o
t h e a c t u a l S e r v i c e o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ; h e m a y r e q u i r e
t h e O p i n i o n , i n w r i t i n g , o I t h e p r i n c i p a l O I I i c e r i n
e a c h o I t h e e x e c u t i v e D e p a r t m e n t s , u p o n a n y S u b j e c t
r e l a t i n g t o t h e D u t i e s o I t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e O I I i c e s , a n d
h e s h a l l h a v e P o w e r t o g r a n t R e p r i e v e s a n d P a r d o n s
I o r O I I e n c e s a g a i n s t t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , e x c e p t i n C a s e s
o I I m p e a c h m e n t .
H e s h a l l h a v e P o w e r , b y a n d w i t h t h e A d v i c e a n d
C o n s e n t o I t h e S e n a t e , t o m a k e T r e a t i e s , p r o v i d e d t w o
t h i r d s o I t h e S e n a t o r s p r e s e n t c o n c u r ; a n d h e s h a l l
n o m i n a t e , a n d b y a n d w i t h t h e A d v i c e a n d C o n s e n t o I
t h e S e n a t e , s h a l l a p p o i n t A m b a s s a d o r s , o t h e r p u b l i c
M i n i s t e r s a n d C o n s u l s , J u d g e s o I t h e s u p r e m e C o u r t ,
a n d a l l o t h e r O I I i c e r s o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , w h o s e
A p p o i n t m e n t s a r e n o t h e r e i n o t h e r w i s e p r o v i d e d I o r ,
a n d w h i c h s h a l l b e e s t a b l i s h e d b y L a w : b u t t h e
C o n g r e s s m a y b y L a w v e s t t h e A p p o i n t m e n t o I s u c h
i n I e r i o r O I I i c e r s , a s t h e y t h i n k p r o p e r , i n t h e P r e s i d e n t
a l o n e , i n t h e C o u r t s o I L a w , o r i n t h e H e a d s o I
D e p a r t m e n t s .
T h e P r e s i d e n t s h a l l h a v e P o w e r t o I i l l u p a l l
V a c a n c i e s t h a t m a y h a p p e n d u r i n g t h e R e c e s s o I t h e
6
and the Yeas and Nays oI the Members oI either
House on any question shall, at the Desire oI one IiIth
oI those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session oI Congress,
shall, without the Consent oI the other, adjourn Ior
more than three days, nor to any other Place than that
in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Section. 6. The Senators and Representatives shall
receive a Compensation Ior their Services, to be
ascertained by Law, and paid out oI the Treasury oI
the United States. They shall in all Cases, except
Treason, Felony and Breach oI the Peace, be
privileged Irom Arrest during their Attendance at the
Session oI their respective Houses, and in going to and
returning Irom the same; and Ior any Speech or
Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in
any other Place.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the
Time Ior which he was elected, be appointed to any
civil OIIice under the Authority oI the United States,
which shall have been created, or the Emoluments
whereoI shall have been encreased during such time;
and no Person holding any OIIice under the United
States, shall be a Member oI either House during his
Continuance in OIIice.
35
qualiIied, 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 qualiIied.
Section 4. The Congress may by law provide Ior
the case oI the death oI any oI the persons Irom whom
the House oI Representatives may choose a President
whenever the right oI choice shall have devolved upon
them, and Ior the case oI the death oI any oI the
persons Irom whom the Senate may choose a Vice
President whenever the right oI choice shall have
devolved upon them.
Section 5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take eIIect on the
15th day oI October Iollowing the ratiIication oI this
article.
Section 6. This article shall be inoperative unless it
shall have been ratiIied as an amendment to the
Constitution by the legislatures oI three-Iourths oI the
several States within seven years Irom the date oI its
submission.
AMENDMENT XXI
Section 1. The eighteenth article oI amendment to
the Constitution oI the United States is hereby
repealed.
Section 2. The transportation or importation into
any State, Territory, or Possession oI the United States
1 5
t h e A g e o I t h i r t y I i v e Y e a r s , a n d b e e n I o u r t e e n Y e a r s a
R e s i d e n t w i t h i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
| I n C a s e o I t h e R e m o v a l o I t h e P r e s i d e n t I r o m
O I I i c e , o r o I h i s D e a t h , R e s i g n a t i o n , o r I n a b i l i t y t o
d i s c h a r g e t h e P o w e r s a n d D u t i e s o I t h e s a i d O I I i c e ,
t h e S a m e s h a l l d e v o l v e o n t h e V i c e P r e s i d e n t , a n d t h e
C o n g r e s s m a y b y L a w p r o v i d e I o r t h e C a s e o I
R e m o v a l , D e a t h , R e s i g n a t i o n o r I n a b i l i t y , b o t h o I t h e
P r e s i d e n t a n d V i c e P r e s i d e n t , d e c l a r i n g w h a t O I I i c e r
s h a l l t h e n a c t a s P r e s i d e n t , a n d s u c h O I I i c e r s h a l l a c t
a c c o r d i n g l y , u n t i l t h e D i s a b i l i t y b e r e m o v e d , o r a
P r e s i d e n t s h a l l b e e l e c t e d . | ( N o t e . a f f e c t e a b y t h e 2 5 t h
a m e n a m e n t )
T h e P r e s i d e n t s h a l l , a t s t a t e d T i m e s , r e c e i v e I o r h i s
S e r v i c e s , a C o m p e n s a t i o n , w h i c h s h a l l n e i t h e r b e
i n c r e a s e d n o r d i m i n i s h e d d u r i n g t h e P e r i o d I o r w h i c h
h e s h a l l h a v e b e e n e l e c t e d , a n d h e s h a l l n o t r e c e i v e
w i t h i n t h a t P e r i o d a n y o t h e r E m o l u m e n t I r o m t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s , o r a n y o I t h e m .
B e I o r e h e e n t e r o n t h e E x e c u t i o n o I h i s O I I i c e , h e
s h a l l t a k e t h e I o l l o w i n g O a t h o r A I I i r m a t i o n : - - " I d o
s o l e m n l y s w e a r ( o r a I I i r m ) t h a t I w i l l I a i t h I u l l y
e x e c u t e t h e O I I i c e o I P r e s i d e n t o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ,
a n d w i l l t o t h e b e s t o I m y A b i l i t y , p r e s e r v e , p r o t e c t
a n d d e I e n d t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . "
2 6
A m e n d m e n t V I I
I n S u i t s a t c o m m o n l a w , w h e r e t h e v a l u e i n
c o n t r o v e r s y s h a l l e x c e e d t w e n t y d o l l a r s , t h e r i g h t o I
t r i a l b y j u r y s h a l l b e p r e s e r v e d , a n d n o I a c t t r i e d b y a
j u r y , s h a l l b e o t h e r w i s e r e - e x a m i n e d i n a n y C o u r t o I
t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , t h a n a c c o r d i n g t o t h e r u l e s o I t h e
c o m m o n l a w .
A m e n d m e n t V I I I
E x c e s s i v e b a i l s h a l l n o t b e r e q u i r e d , n o r e x c e s s i v e
I i n e s i m p o s e d , n o r c r u e l a n d u n u s u a l p u n i s h m e n t s
i n I l i c t e d .
A m e n d m e n t I X
T h e e n u m e r a t i o n i n t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n , o I c e r t a i n
r i g h t s , s h a l l n o t b e c o n s t r u e d t o d e n y o r d i s p a r a g e
o t h e r s r e t a i n e d b y t h e p e o p l e .
A m e n d m e n t X
T h e p o w e r s n o t d e l e g a t e d t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s b y
t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n , n o r p r o h i b i t e d b y i t t o t h e S t a t e s , a r e
r e s e r v e d t o t h e S t a t e s r e s p e c t i v e l y , o r t o t h e p e o p l e .
34
AMENDMENT XX
Note. Article I, section 4, of the Constitution was
moaifiea by section 2 of this amenament. In aaaition,
a portion of the 12th amenament was superseaea by
section 3.
Section 1. The terms oI the President and the Vice
President shall end at noon on the 20th day oI January,
and the terms oI Senators and Representatives at noon
on the 3d day oI January, oI the years in which such
terms would have ended iI this article had not been
ratiIied; and the terms oI 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 oI January, unless they shall by
law appoint a diIIerent day.
Section 3. II, at the time Iixed Ior the beginning oI
the term oI the President, the President elect shall have
died, the Vice President elect shall become President.
II a President shall not have been chosen beIore the
time Iixed Ior the beginning oI his term, or iI the
President elect shall have Iailed to qualiIy, then the
Vice President elect shall act as President until a
President shall have qualiIied; and the Congress may
by law provide Ior the case wherein neither a
President elect nor a Vice President shall have
7
Section. 7. All Bills Ior raising Revenue shall
originate in the House oI Representatives; but the
Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as
on other Bills.
Every Bill which shall have passed the House oI
Representatives and the Senate, shall, beIore it
become a Law, be presented to the President oI the
United States: II he approve he shall sign it, but iI not
he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in
which it shall have originated, who shall enter the
Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to
reconsider it. II aIter such Reconsideration two thirds
oI that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be
sent, together with the Objections, to the other House,
by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and iI
approved by two thirds oI that House, it shall become
a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes oI both Houses
shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names
oI the Persons voting Ior and against the Bill shall be
entered on the Journal oI each House respectively. II
any Bill shall not be returned by the President within
ten Days (Sundays excepted) aIter it shall have been
presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like
Manner as iI he had signed it, unless the Congress by
their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it
shall not be a Law.
2 7
A M E N D M E N T X I
N o t e . A r t i c l e I I I , s e c t i o n 2 , o f t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n w a s
m o a i f i e a b y a m e n a m e n t 1 1 .
T h e J u d i c i a l p o w e r o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s s h a l l n o t b e
c o n s t r u e d t o e x t e n d t o a n y s u i t i n l a w o r e q u i t y ,
c o m m e n c e d o r p r o s e c u t e d a g a i n s t o n e o I t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s b y C i t i z e n s o I a n o t h e r S t a t e , o r b y C i t i z e n s o r
S u b j e c t s o I a n y F o r e i g n S t a t e .
A M E N D M E N T X I I
N o t e . A p o r t i o n o f A r t i c l e I I , s e c t i o n 1 o f t h e
C o n s t i t u t i o n w a s s u p e r s e a e a b y t h e 1 2 t h a m e n a m e n t .
T h e E l e c t o r s s h a l l m e e t i n t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e s t a t e s
a n d v o t e b y b a l l o t I o r P r e s i d e n t a n d V i c e - P r e s i d e n t ,
o n e o I w h o m , a t l e a s t , s h a l l n o t b e a n i n h a b i t a n t o I t h e
s a m e s t a t e w i t h t h e m s e l v e s ; t h e y s h a l l n a m e i n t h e i r
b a l l o t s t h e p e r s o n v o t e d I o r a s P r e s i d e n t , a n d i n
d i s t i n c t b a l l o t s t h e p e r s o n v o t e d I o r a s V i c e - P r e s i d e n t ,
a n d t h e y s h a l l m a k e d i s t i n c t l i s t s o I a l l p e r s o n s v o t e d
I o r a s P r e s i d e n t , a n d o I a l l p e r s o n s v o t e d I o r a s V i c e -
P r e s i d e n t , a n d o I t h e n u m b e r o I v o t e s I o r e a c h , w h i c h
l i s t s t h e y s h a l l s i g n a n d c e r t i I y , a n d t r a n s m i t s e a l e d t o
t h e s e a t o I t h e g o v e r n m e n t o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ,
d i r e c t e d t o t h e P r e s i d e n t o I t h e S e n a t e ; - - t h e P r e s i d e n t
o I t h e S e n a t e s h a l l , i n t h e p r e s e n c e o I t h e S e n a t e a n d
H o u s e o I R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s , o p e n a l l t h e c e r t i I i c a t e s a n d
t h e v o t e s s h a l l t h e n b e c o u n t e d ; - - T h e p e r s o n h a v i n g
1 4
R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s s h a l l i m m e d i a t e l y c h u s e b y B a l l o t o n e
o I t h e m I o r P r e s i d e n t ; a n d i I n o P e r s o n h a v e a
M a j o r i t y , t h e n I r o m t h e I i v e h i g h e s t o n t h e L i s t t h e
s a i d H o u s e s h a l l i n l i k e M a n n e r c h u s e t h e P r e s i d e n t .
B u t i n c h u s i n g t h e P r e s i d e n t , t h e V o t e s s h a l l b e t a k e n
b y S t a t e s , t h e R e p r e s e n t a t i o n I r o m e a c h S t a t e h a v i n g
o n e V o t e ; A q u o r u m I o r t h i s p u r p o s e s h a l l c o n s i s t o I a
M e m b e r o r M e m b e r s I r o m t w o t h i r d s o I t h e S t a t e s ,
a n d a M a j o r i t y o I a l l t h e S t a t e s s h a l l b e n e c e s s a r y t o a
C h o i c e . I n e v e r y C a s e , a I t e r t h e C h o i c e o I t h e
P r e s i d e n t , t h e P e r s o n h a v i n g t h e g r e a t e s t N u m b e r o I
V o t e s o I t h e E l e c t o r s s h a l l b e t h e V i c e P r e s i d e n t . B u t
i I t h e r e s h o u l d r e m a i n t w o o r m o r e w h o h a v e e q u a l
V o t e s , t h e S e n a t e s h a l l c h u s e I r o m t h e m b y B a l l o t t h e
V i c e P r e s i d e n t . | ( N o t e . s u p e r s e a e a b y t h e 1 2 t h
a m e n a m e n t )
T h e C o n g r e s s m a y d e t e r m i n e t h e T i m e o I c h u s i n g
t h e E l e c t o r s , a n d t h e D a y o n w h i c h t h e y s h a l l g i v e
t h e i r V o t e s ; w h i c h D a y s h a l l b e t h e s a m e t h r o u g h o u t
t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
N o P e r s o n e x c e p t a n a t u r a l b o r n C i t i z e n , o r a
C i t i z e n o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , a t t h e t i m e o I t h e
A d o p t i o n o I t h i s C o n s t i t u t i o n , s h a l l b e e l i g i b l e t o t h e
O I I i c e o I P r e s i d e n t ; n e i t h e r s h a l l a n y P e r s o n b e
e l i g i b l e t o t h a t O I I i c e w h o s h a l l n o t h a v e a t t a i n e d t o
8
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the
Concurrence oI the Senate and House oI
Representatives may be necessary (except on a
question oI Adjournment) shall be presented to the
President oI the United States; and beIore the Same
shall take EIIect, shall be approved by him, or being
disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds oI
the Senate and House oI Representatives, according to
the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case oI a
Bill.
Section. 8. The Congress shall have Power To lay
and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay
the Debts and provide Ior the common DeIence and
general WelIare oI the United States; but all Duties,
Imposts and Excises shall be uniIorm throughout the
United States;
To borrow Money on the credit oI the United
States;
To regulate Commerce with Ioreign Nations, and
among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniIorm Rule oI Naturalization, and
uniIorm Laws on the subject oI Bankruptcies
throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereoI, and oI
Ioreign Coin, and Iix the Standard oI Weights and
Measures;
33
This amendment shall not be so construed as to
aIIect the election or term oI any Senator chosen
beIore it becomes valid as part oI the Constitution.
AMENDMENT XVIII
Section 1. AIter one year Irom the ratiIication oI
this article the manuIacture, sale, or transportation oI
intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereoI
into, or the exportation thereoI Irom the United States
and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereoI Ior
beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
Section 2. The Congress and the several States
shall have concurrent power to enIorce this article by
appropriate legislation.
Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it
shall have been ratiIied as an amendment to the
Constitution by the legislatures oI the several States,
as provided in the Constitution, within seven years
Irom the date oI the submission hereoI to the States by
the Congress.
AMENDMENT XIX
The right oI citizens oI the United States to vote
shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or
by any State on account oI sex.
Congress shall have power to enIorce this article by
appropriate legislation.
1 3
h o l d h i s O I I i c e d u r i n g t h e T e r m o I I o u r Y e a r s , a n d ,
t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e V i c e P r e s i d e n t , c h o s e n I o r t h e s a m e
T e r m , b e e l e c t e d , a s I o l l o w s :
E a c h S t a t e s h a l l a p p o i n t , i n s u c h M a n n e r a s t h e
L e g i s l a t u r e t h e r e o I m a y d i r e c t , a N u m b e r o I E l e c t o r s ,
e q u a l t o t h e w h o l e N u m b e r o I S e n a t o r s a n d
R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s t o w h i c h t h e S t a t e m a y b e e n t i t l e d i n
t h e C o n g r e s s : b u t n o S e n a t o r o r R e p r e s e n t a t i v e , o r
P e r s o n h o l d i n g a n O I I i c e o I T r u s t o r P r o I i t u n d e r t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s , s h a l l b e a p p o i n t e d a n E l e c t o r .
| T h e E l e c t o r s s h a l l m e e t i n t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e S t a t e s ,
a n d v o t e b y B a l l o t I o r t w o P e r s o n s , o I w h o m o n e a t
l e a s t s h a l l n o t b e a n I n h a b i t a n t o I t h e s a m e S t a t e w i t h
t h e m s e l v e s . A n d t h e y s h a l l m a k e a L i s t o I a l l t h e
P e r s o n s v o t e d I o r , a n d o I t h e N u m b e r o I V o t e s I o r
e a c h ; w h i c h L i s t t h e y s h a l l s i g n a n d c e r t i I y , a n d
t r a n s m i t s e a l e d t o t h e S e a t o I t h e G o v e r n m e n t o I t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s , d i r e c t e d t o t h e P r e s i d e n t o I t h e S e n a t e .
T h e P r e s i d e n t o I t h e S e n a t e s h a l l , i n t h e P r e s e n c e o I
t h e S e n a t e a n d H o u s e o I R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s , o p e n a l l t h e
C e r t i I i c a t e s , a n d t h e V o t e s s h a l l t h e n b e c o u n t e d . T h e
P e r s o n h a v i n g t h e g r e a t e s t N u m b e r o I V o t e s s h a l l b e
t h e P r e s i d e n t , i I s u c h N u m b e r b e a M a j o r i t y o I t h e
w h o l e N u m b e r o I E l e c t o r s a p p o i n t e d ; a n d i I t h e r e b e
m o r e t h a n o n e w h o h a v e s u c h M a j o r i t y , a n d h a v e a n
e q u a l N u m b e r o I V o t e s , t h e n t h e H o u s e o I
2 8
t h e g r e a t e s t n u m b e r o I v o t e s I o r P r e s i d e n t , s h a l l b e t h e
P r e s i d e n t , i I s u c h n u m b e r b e a m a j o r i t y o I t h e w h o l e
n u m b e r o I E l e c t o r s a p p o i n t e d ; a n d i I n o p e r s o n h a v e
s u c h m a j o r i t y , t h e n I r o m t h e p e r s o n s h a v i n g t h e
h i g h e s t n u m b e r s n o t e x c e e d i n g t h r e e o n t h e l i s t o I
t h o s e v o t e d I o r a s P r e s i d e n t , t h e H o u s e o I
R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s s h a l l c h o o s e i m m e d i a t e l y , b y b a l l o t ,
t h e P r e s i d e n t . B u t i n c h o o s i n g t h e P r e s i d e n t , t h e v o t e s
s h a l l b e t a k e n b y s t a t e s , t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i o n I r o m e a c h
s t a t e h a v i n g o n e v o t e ; a q u o r u m I o r t h i s p u r p o s e s h a l l
c o n s i s t o I a m e m b e r o r m e m b e r s I r o m t w o - t h i r d s o I
t h e s t a t e s , a n d a m a j o r i t y o I a l l t h e s t a t e s s h a l l b e
n e c e s s a r y t o a c h o i c e . | A n d i I t h e H o u s e o I
R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s s h a l l n o t c h o o s e a P r e s i d e n t w h e n e v e r
t h e r i g h t o I c h o i c e s h a l l d e v o l v e u p o n t h e m , b e I o r e t h e
I o u r t h d a y o I M a r c h n e x t I o l l o w i n g , t h e n t h e V i c e -
P r e s i d e n t s h a l l a c t a s P r e s i d e n t , a s i n c a s e o I t h e d e a t h
o r o t h e r c o n s t i t u t i o n a l d i s a b i l i t y o I t h e P r e s i d e n t . - - |
( N o t e . s u p e r s e a e a b y s e c t i o n 3 o f t h e 2 0 t h
a m e n a m e n t ) T h e p e r s o n h a v i n g t h e g r e a t e s t n u m b e r o I
v o t e s a s V i c e - P r e s i d e n t , s h a l l b e t h e V i c e - P r e s i d e n t , i I
s u c h n u m b e r b e a m a j o r i t y o I t h e w h o l e n u m b e r o I
E l e c t o r s a p p o i n t e d , a n d i I n o p e r s o n h a v e a m a j o r i t y ,
t h e n I r o m t h e t w o h i g h e s t n u m b e r s o n t h e l i s t , t h e
S e n a t e s h a l l c h o o s e t h e V i c e - P r e s i d e n t ; a q u o r u m I o r
t h e p u r p o s e s h a l l c o n s i s t o I t w o - t h i r d s o I t h e w h o l e
32
Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to
enIorce this article by appropriate legislation.
AMENDMENT XVI
Note. Article I, section 9, of the Constitution was
moaifiea by amenament 16.
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect
taxes on incomes, Irom whatever source derived,
without apportionment among the several States, and
without regard to any census or enumeration.
AMENDMENT XVII
Note. Article I, section 3, of the Constitution was
moaifiea by the 17th amenament.
The Senate oI the United States shall be composed
oI two Senators Irom each State, elected by the people
thereoI, Ior six years; and each Senator shall have one
vote. The electors in each State shall have the
qualiIications requisite Ior electors oI the most
numerous branch oI the State legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation oI
any State in the Senate, the executive authority oI such
State shall issue writs oI election to Iill such
vacancies: Provided, That the legislature oI any State
may empower the executive thereoI to make
temporary appointments until the people Iill the
vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
9
To provide Ior the Punishment oI counterIeiting the
Securities and current Coin oI the United States;
To establish Post OIIices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress oI Science and useIul
Arts, by securing Ior limited Times to Authors and
Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective
Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inIerior to the supreme
Court;
To deIine and punish Piracies and Felonies
committed on the high Seas, and OIIences against the
Law oI Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters oI Marque and
Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on
Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation
oI Money to that Use shall be Ior a longer Term than
two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules Ior the Government and Regulation
oI the land and naval Forces;
To provide Ior calling Iorth the Militia to execute
the Laws oI the Union, suppress Insurrections and
repel Invasions;
To provide Ior organizing, arming, and
disciplining, the Militia, and Ior governing such Part
2 9
n u m b e r o I S e n a t o r s , a n d a m a j o r i t y o I t h e w h o l e
n u m b e r s h a l l b e n e c e s s a r y t o a c h o i c e . B u t n o p e r s o n
c o n s t i t u t i o n a l l y i n e l i g i b l e t o t h e o I I i c e o I P r e s i d e n t
s h a l l b e e l i g i b l e t o t h a t o I V i c e - P r e s i d e n t o I t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s .
A M E N D M E N T X I I I
N o t e . A p o r t i o n o f A r t i c l e I J , s e c t i o n 2 , o f t h e
C o n s t i t u t i o n w a s s u p e r s e a e a b y t h e 1 3 t h a m e n a m e n t .
S e c t i o n 1 . N e i t h e r s l a v e r y n o r i n v o l u n t a r y
s e r v i t u d e , e x c e p t a s a p u n i s h m e n t I o r c r i m e w h e r e o I
t h e p a r t y s h a l l h a v e b e e n d u l y c o n v i c t e d , s h a l l e x i s t
w i t h i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , o r a n y p l a c e s u b j e c t t o t h e i r
j u r i s d i c t i o n .
S e c t i o n 2 . C o n g r e s s s h a l l h a v e p o w e r t o e n I o r c e
t h i s a r t i c l e b y a p p r o p r i a t e l e g i s l a t i o n .
A M E N D M E N T X I V
N o t e . A r t i c l e I , s e c t i o n 2 , o f t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n w a s
m o a i f i e a b y s e c t i o n 2 o f t h e 1 4 t h a m e n a m e n t .
S e c t i o n 1 . A l l p e r s o n s b o r n o r n a t u r a l i z e d i n t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s , a n d s u b j e c t t o t h e j u r i s d i c t i o n t h e r e o I ,
a r e c i t i z e n s o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d o I t h e S t a t e
w h e r e i n t h e y r e s i d e . N o S t a t e s h a l l m a k e o r e n I o r c e
a n y l a w w h i c h s h a l l a b r i d g e t h e p r i v i l e g e s o r
i m m u n i t i e s o I c i t i z e n s o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ; n o r s h a l l
a n y S t a t e d e p r i v e a n y p e r s o n o I l i I e , l i b e r t y , o r
p r o p e r t y , w i t h o u t d u e p r o c e s s o I l a w ; n o r d e n y t o a n y
1 2
o r T i t l e , o I a n y k i n d w h a t e v e r , I r o m a n y K i n g , P r i n c e ,
o r I o r e i g n S t a t e .
S e c t i o n . 1 0 . N o S t a t e s h a l l e n t e r i n t o a n y T r e a t y ,
A l l i a n c e , o r C o n I e d e r a t i o n ; g r a n t L e t t e r s o I M a r q u e
a n d R e p r i s a l ; c o i n M o n e y ; e m i t B i l l s o I C r e d i t ; m a k e
a n y T h i n g b u t g o l d a n d s i l v e r C o i n a T e n d e r i n
P a y m e n t o I D e b t s ; p a s s a n y B i l l o I A t t a i n d e r , e x p o s t
I a c t o L a w , o r L a w i m p a i r i n g t h e O b l i g a t i o n o I
C o n t r a c t s , o r g r a n t a n y T i t l e o I N o b i l i t y .
N o S t a t e s h a l l , w i t h o u t t h e C o n s e n t o I t h e
C o n g r e s s , l a y a n y I m p o s t s o r D u t i e s o n I m p o r t s o r
E x p o r t s , e x c e p t w h a t m a y b e a b s o l u t e l y n e c e s s a r y I o r
e x e c u t i n g i t ' s i n s p e c t i o n L a w s : a n d t h e n e t P r o d u c e o I
a l l D u t i e s a n d I m p o s t s , l a i d b y a n y S t a t e o n I m p o r t s o r
E x p o r t s , s h a l l b e I o r t h e U s e o I t h e T r e a s u r y o I t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s ; a n d a l l s u c h L a w s s h a l l b e s u b j e c t t o t h e
R e v i s i o n a n d C o n t r o u l o I t h e C o n g r e s s .
N o S t a t e s h a l l , w i t h o u t t h e C o n s e n t o I C o n g r e s s ,
l a y a n y D u t y o I T o n n a g e , k e e p T r o o p s , o r S h i p s o I
W a r i n t i m e o I P e a c e , e n t e r i n t o a n y A g r e e m e n t o r
C o m p a c t w i t h a n o t h e r S t a t e , o r w i t h a I o r e i g n P o w e r ,
o r e n g a g e i n W a r , u n l e s s a c t u a l l y i n v a d e d , o r i n s u c h
i m m i n e n t D a n g e r a s w i l l n o t a d m i t o I d e l a y .
A r t i c l e . I I .
S e c t i o n . 1 . T h e e x e c u t i v e P o w e r s h a l l b e v e s t e d i n
a P r e s i d e n t o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s o I A m e r i c a . H e s h a l l
10
oI them as may be employed in the Service oI the
United States, reserving to the States respectively, the
Appointment oI the OIIicers, and the Authority oI
training the Militia according to the discipline
prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases
whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten
Miles square) as may, by Cession oI particular States,
and the Acceptance oI Congress, become the Seat oI
the Government oI the United States, and to exercise
like Authority over all Places purchased by the
Consent oI the Legislature oI the State in which the
Same shall be, Ior the Erection oI Forts, Magazines,
Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needIul Buildings;--
And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and
proper Ior carrying into Execution the Ioregoing
Powers, and all other Powers vested by this
Constitution in the Government oI the United States,
or in any Department or OIIicer thereoI.
Section. 9. The Migration or Importation oI such
Persons as any oI the States now existing shall think
proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the
Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred
and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such
Importation, not exceeding ten dollars Ior each Person.
31
member oI any State legislature, or as an executive or
judicial oIIicer oI any State, to support the
Constitution oI the United States, shall have engaged
in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given
aid or comIort to the enemies thereoI. But Congress
may by a vote oI two-thirds oI each House, remove
such disability.
Section 4. The validity oI the public debt oI the
United States, authorized by law, including debts
incurred Ior payment oI pensions and bounties Ior
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 oI insurrection or rebellion against the
United States, or any claim Ior the loss or
emancipation oI any slave; but all such debts,
obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.
Section 5. The Congress shall have the power to
enIorce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions oI
this article.
AMENDMENT XV
Section 1. The right oI citizens oI the United States
to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United
States or by any State on account oI race, color, or
previous condition oI servitude--
1 1
T h e P r i v i l e g e o I t h e W r i t o I H a b e a s C o r p u s s h a l l
n o t b e s u s p e n d e d , u n l e s s w h e n i n C a s e s o I R e b e l l i o n
o r I n v a s i o n t h e p u b l i c S a I e t y m a y r e q u i r e i t .
N o B i l l o I A t t a i n d e r o r e x p o s t I a c t o L a w s h a l l b e
p a s s e d .
N o C a p i t a t i o n , o r o t h e r d i r e c t , T a x s h a l l b e l a i d ,
| u n l e s s i n P r o p o r t i o n t o t h e C e n s u s o r e n u m e r a t i o n
h e r e i n b e I o r e d i r e c t e d t o b e t a k e n | ( N o t e . m o a i f i e a b y
a m e n a m e n t 1 6 ) .
N o T a x o r D u t y s h a l l b e l a i d o n A r t i c l e s e x p o r t e d
I r o m a n y S t a t e .
N o P r e I e r e n c e s h a l l b e g i v e n b y a n y R e g u l a t i o n o I
C o m m e r c e o r R e v e n u e t o t h e P o r t s o I o n e S t a t e o v e r
t h o s e o I a n o t h e r ; n o r s h a l l V e s s e l s b o u n d t o , o r I r o m ,
o n e S t a t e , b e o b l i g e d t o e n t e r , c l e a r , o r p a y D u t i e s i n
a n o t h e r .
N o M o n e y s h a l l b e d r a w n I r o m t h e T r e a s u r y , b u t i n
C o n s e q u e n c e o I A p p r o p r i a t i o n s m a d e b y L a w ; a n d a
r e g u l a r S t a t e m e n t a n d A c c o u n t o I t h e R e c e i p t s a n d
E x p e n d i t u r e s o I a l l p u b l i c M o n e y s h a l l b e p u b l i s h e d
I r o m t i m e t o t i m e .
N o T i t l e o I N o b i l i t y s h a l l b e g r a n t e d b y t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s : A n d n o P e r s o n h o l d i n g a n y O I I i c e o I P r o I i t o r
T r u s t u n d e r t h e m , s h a l l , w i t h o u t t h e C o n s e n t o I t h e
C o n g r e s s , a c c e p t o I a n y p r e s e n t , E m o l u m e n t , O I I i c e ,
3 0
p e r s o n w i t h i n i t s j u r i s d i c t i o n t h e e q u a l p r o t e c t i o n o I
t h e l a w s .
S e c t i o n 2 . R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s s h a l l b e a p p o r t i o n e d
a m o n g t h e s e v e r a l S t a t e s a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e
n u m b e r s , c o u n t i n g t h e w h o l e n u m b e r o I p e r s o n s i n
e a c h S t a t e , e x c l u d i n g I n d i a n s n o t t a x e d . B u t w h e n t h e
r i g h t t o v o t e a t a n y e l e c t i o n I o r t h e c h o i c e o I e l e c t o r s
I o r P r e s i d e n t a n d V i c e - P r e s i d e n t o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ,
R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s i n C o n g r e s s , t h e E x e c u t i v e a n d
J u d i c i a l o I I i c e r s o I a S t a t e , o r t h e m e m b e r s o I t h e
L e g i s l a t u r e t h e r e o I , i s d e n i e d t o a n y o I t h e m a l e
i n h a b i t a n t s o I s u c h S t a t e , b e i n g t w e n t y - o n e y e a r s o I
a g e , ( N o t e . c h a n g e a b y s e c t i o n 1 o f t h e 2 6 t h
a m e n a m e n t ) a n d c i t i z e n s o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , o r i n
a n y w a y a b r i d g e d , e x c e p t I o r p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n
r e b e l l i o n , o r o t h e r c r i m e , t h e b a s i s o I r e p r e s e n t a t i o n
t h e r e i n s h a l l b e r e d u c e d i n t h e p r o p o r t i o n w h i c h t h e
n u m b e r o I s u c h m a l e c i t i z e n s s h a l l b e a r t o t h e w h o l e
n u m b e r o I m a l e c i t i z e n s t w e n t y - o n e y e a r s o I a g e i n
s u c h S t a t e .
S e c t i o n 3 . N o p e r s o n s h a l l b e a S e n a t o r o r
R e p r e s e n t a t i v e i n C o n g r e s s , o r e l e c t o r o I P r e s i d e n t
a n d V i c e - P r e s i d e n t , o r h o l d a n y o I I i c e , c i v i l o r
m i l i t a r y , u n d e r t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , o r u n d e r a n y S t a t e ,
w h o , h a v i n g p r e v i o u s l y t a k e n a n o a t h , a s a m e m b e r o I
C o n g r e s s , o r a s a n o I I i c e r o I t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , o r a s a