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

1

freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to petition the government for redress of grievances

2

A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

3

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

4

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

5

guarantees the right to a grand jury, forbids “double jeopardy,” and protects against self-incrimination. It also requires that “due process of law” be part of any proceeding that denies a citizen “life, liberty or property” and requires the government to compensate citizens when it takes private property for public use.

6

the rights to a fast and public trial by an impartial jury, to be aware of the criminal charges, to confront witnesses during the trial, to have witnesses appear in the trial, and the right to legal representation

7

protects the right for citizens to have a jury trial in federal courts with civil cases where the claim exceeds a certain dollar value. It also prohibits judges in these trials from overruling facts revealed by the jury.

8

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

9

the rights of citizens will be protected whether these rights are listed or not. It also leaves what rights are not listed as an opportunity for interpretation.

10

It was added to reassure state delegates that the federal government would not overstep its authority. It emphasizes the separation of jurisdictions between the federal government and the state governments.

11

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.

12

revised the presidential election process by requiring electors to cast separate ballots for president and vice president

13

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.

14

granted U.S. citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves, and prohibited states from infringing on citizens' privileges, liberties, or rights to due process and equal protection of the laws

15

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

16

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.

17

• Direct election: The core change of the amendment is that citizens of each state now vote for their senators in statewide elections.

• Filling vacancies: When a Senate seat becomes vacant due to a senator's death, resignation, or removal, the state governor has the authority to appoint a temporary replacement. This temporary appointment lasts until a special election is held, as directed by the state's legislature.

• Preserving the Senate: The amendment maintained the equal representation of each state in the Senate, ensuring that every state has two senators serving six-year terms. 

18

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; The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

19

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.

20

• Presidential Term Start:

  The President and Vice President's terms end at noon on January 20th, and their successors' terms begin on that same day. 

• Congressional Term Start:

  The terms for Senators and Representatives end at noon on January 3rd, and their successors' terms start at that time. 

• Lame Duck Session Elimination:

  This amendment significantly shortened the "lame duck" period, which was the time between an election loss and the start of the new term in March. It was designed to prevent outgoing members of Congress from making decisions that were not accountable to their constituents. 

• Congress Convenes on January 3rd:

  Congress must now assemble at least once a year, starting at noon on January 3rd. 

• Succession and Vacancies:

  • If the president-elect dies or is otherwise incapacitated before the start of their term, the vice president-elect will become the president. 

  • If a president-elect has not qualified for office, the vice president-elect will act as president. 

  • Congress is given the power to determine what happens if no president has been elected or qualified by the start of the new term

21

• 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.

• 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.

22

• 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.

• 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.

23

grants residents of Washington, D.C., the right to vote in presidential elections by giving the District the same number of presidential electors as it would have if it were a state, though no more than the least populous state

24

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 poll tax or other tax; The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

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.

26

Lowers the voting age to 18; Congress can enforce.

27

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.