U.S. Constitution Amendments: Rights, Elections, and Government Powers

Amendment 1

Protects freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Amendment 2

Protects the right to keep and bear arms and supports a well-regulated militia.

Amendment 3

Prohibits quartering soldiers in private homes without consent.

Amendment 4

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires warrants based on probable cause.

Amendment 5

Guarantees due process, prohibits double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and ensures just compensation for seized property.

Amendment 6

Guarantees a speedy and public trial, impartial jury, and right to counsel in criminal cases.

Amendment 7

Preserves the right to a jury trial in civil cases over twenty dollars and limits court review of jury findings.

you have the right to have a jury, not just a judge

Amendment 8

Prohibits excessive bail, fines, and cruel or unusual punishment.

Amendment 9

Clarifies that rights not listed in the Constitution are still retained by the people.

Amendment 10

Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for states or the people.

Amendment 11

Limits the judicial power of the United States in suits against states by citizens of other states or countries.

renders the states immune from lawsuits from out-of-state citizens and foreign individuals

Amendment 12

Revises the procedure for electing the President and Vice President through the Electoral College.

made the presidential election simpler by requiring electors to cast separate votes for president and vice president

fixed a major problem in electoral college

Amendment 13

Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime; Congress can enforce this.

Amendment 14

Grants citizenship, guarantees due process and equal protection, and limits former Confederates from office; Congress can enforce.

grants citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the U.S.

Amendment 15

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude; Congress can enforce.

Amendment 16

Authorizes Congress to collect income taxes without apportionment among the states.

Amendment 17

Establishes direct election of Senators and procedures for filling vacancies.

Amendment 18

Prohibited manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol (Prohibition); Congress and states could enforce.

Amendment 19

Grants women the right to vote; Congress can enforce.

Amendment 20

Sets new start dates for presidential, vice-presidential, and congressional terms and procedures if a President-elect dies.

changed the start dates of the presidential and congressional terms from March 4 to January 20 and January 3, respectively, and moved up Congress's annual meeting date to January 3

Amendment 21

Repeals the 18th Amendment, ending Prohibition; states may regulate alcohol.

Amendment 22

Limits Presidents to two terms and clarifies eligibility for partial terms.

Amendment 23

Grants Washington, D.C. electoral votes for President and Vice President.

Amendment 24

Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections; Congress can enforce.

Amendment 25

Establishes procedures for presidential succession and handling presidential disabilities.

when the President becomes unable to perform their duties and when there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President.

Amendment 26

Lowers the voting age to 18; Congress can enforce.

Amendment 27

Prevents laws changing congressional salaries from taking effect until after the next election of Representatives.

prevents members of Congress from giving themselves a pay raise until after a new election has occurred.