U.S. Constitution Amendments: Rights, Elections, and Civil Liberties

1st Amendment

Guarantees the right to the freedoms of speech, press, and religion, and to petition the government.

2nd Amendment

Guarantees the people's right to own and bear arms for their defense.

3rd Amendment

Citizens cannot be forced to quarter soldiers during times of peace.

4th Amendment

Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

5th Amendment

Rights of the accused: right to remain silent, no double jeopardy, due process, etc.

6th Amendment

Guarantees fair and speedy jury trial and the rights to know the accusation, the accuser, and to find counsel and witnesses.

7th Amendment

Civil suits: guaranteed jury trial in certain civil cases.

8th Amendment

Forbids excessive bails and fines and punishment that is unusual or cruel.

9th Amendment

Reserves the rights of citizens which are not specifically mentioned by the U.S. Constitution (people have rights beyond what's listed in the Constitution).

10th Amendment

Reserves powers that are not given to the U.S. government under the Constitution to the States.

11th Amendment

States are protected from lawsuits by citizens living in another state or foreign country.

12th Amendment

Modifies the procedure for presidential elections; requires presidential electors to cast separate ballots for President and Vice President, rather than two votes for President.

13th Amendment

Abolishes slavery.

14th Amendment

Equal protection clause.

15th Amendment

Suffrage (right to vote) for African American males.

16th Amendment

Allows federal government to collect income tax.

17th Amendment

Direct election of Senators.

18th Amendment

Prohibits the sale and consumption of alcohol.

19th Amendment

Grants women's suffrage (right to vote).

20th Amendment

Moves Inauguration (start date) for President from March to January 20.

21st Amendment

Repeals the Eighteenth Amendment (alcohol now legal).

22nd Amendment

Presidential term limits (cannot serve more than 2 terms).

23rd Amendment

Allows DC residents to vote in presidential elections.

24th Amendment

Bans poll taxes.

25th Amendment

Establishes the procedures for a successor of a President (first: VP).

26th Amendment

Lowers voting age to 18 (from 21).

27th Amendment

Denies any laws that vary the salaries of Congress members until the beginning of the next terms of office for Representatives.