17th Amendment

The 17th Amendment, ratified in 1913, changed how U.S. Senators are elected. Before, state legislatures chose Senators, which sometimes led to corruption or undue influence. The amendment established that Senators are now elected directly by the people of each state through popular vote. This shift aimed to make the Senate more accountable to citizens and reduce corruption associated with legislative selection. Essentially, it gave voters more direct control over who represents them in the Senate, reinforcing democratic principles in the federal government.