Constitution > Article I > Section 3
Amendments 11-27 > Amendment 17 - Popular Election of Senators
Senate Vacancies Clause/Senatorial Classes and Vacancies Clause
Article I, Section 3, Clause 2
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.
Amendment 17, Paragraph 2
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, that the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
Related Resources
- Amendments XI–XXVII
- NY Ratification Convention Debates and Proceedings
- Gilbert Livingston's Notes of the New York Ratification Convention Debates
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- Journal Notes of the Virginia Ratification Convention Proceedings
- Fabius II
- The Federalist No. 67
- The Federalist No. 63
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- Newspaper Report of the Massachusetts Ratification Convention
- Newspaper Report of the Massachusetts Ratification Convention,
- Theophilus Parson's Notes of the Massachusetts Ratification Convention
- Thomas Lloyds Notes of the Pennsylvania Ratification Convention
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- Cato V
- A Federal Republican: A Review of the Constitution
- United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States.