17th Amendment - Senators Elected by Popular Vote
William Taft was the 27th President of the United States whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1909 to March 4, 1913. One of the key events during his presidency was the ratification of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution.

Amendments 11 - 27

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Cause and Reason for the 17th Amendment
The cause or reason for this addition to the Constitution was to enable electors to vote for Senators as opposed to the state legislatures, encouraging American citizens to become more involved in the Government of America.

17th Amendment Meaning, Explanation and Summary - Senators Elected by Popular Vote
Background Information: Prior to this amendment, the people would elect the Congressmen that serve in the House of Representatives and the legislature, the governing body of representatives of every state used to elect the state’s senators. The meaning of the words and phrases in the 17th Amendment of the Constitution are explained as follows:

17th Amendment: Meaning of the Words of the Amendment

"The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote..."

Explanation & Meaning: The Senate is one of two houses (groups) in the US Congress. There will be two Senators for every state. The term of office for a Senator is 6 years

"...The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures."

Meaning: Qualifications for Electors of Senators have the same requirements for other officials - Senators elected by popular vote. (Before this amendment  the state legislators elected the Senators)

"...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."

"This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution."

17th Amendment: Meaning of the Words of the Seventeenth Amendment

Amendments 11 - 27

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18th Amendment

17th Amendment Text - The Seventeenth Amendment
The original full text of the 17th Amendment of the Constitution is as follows. Note: Article I, section 3, of the Constitution was modified by the 17th amendment.

17th Amendment Text

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

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.

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

17th Amendment - Video of the Presidency of William Taft
The above information provides the text, definition and summary of the amendment. The following William Taft video will give you additional important facts and dates about both the personal life and political life of the 27th President of the United States whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1909 to March 4, 1913.