Amendment 11 - Authority of Federal Courts Restricted
(Ratified February 7, 1795)

The judicial powerThe authority to interpret law and to administer justice by deciding cases brought before the courts. (In this case, federal courts.) of the United States shall not be construedUnderstood, interpreted, or explained. to extendTo stretch out or reach; to apply. to any suitA lawsuit; a formal application to a court of law for justice; an act of suing in court for the recovery of a right or claim., in law or equity(See definition under III.2.1.), commencedBegun; initiated. or prosecutedPursued or carried forward in a court of law. against one of the United States by citizensPersons who owe allegiance to a government and are entitled to its protection. (See Amendment 14, section 1.) of another state, or by citizens or subjectsPersons who owe allegiance to a government and are entitled to its protection. (See Amendment 14, section 1.) of any foreign stateA nation or government outside the United States..

---

Amendment 12 - Election of the President and Vice President
(Ratified June 15, 1804)

1. The electorsQualified voters appointed by the states to elect the President and Vice President of the United States. (See II.1.2-4.) shall meet in their respectiveIndividual; separate. states and vote by ballotA sheet of paper used to cast a secret vote. for President and Vice President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitantA person who lives permanently in a certain place. of the same state with themselves(That is, the electors.); they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinctDifferent; separate. ballots the person voted for as Vice President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President and of all persons voted for as Vice President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certifyTo declare or affirm in writing to be true or genuine., and transmitTo send. sealedClosed or fastened (such as with wax or some other seal); affixed with an official seal (a stamp or other device used to certify that a signature or document is authentic). to the seat of the governmentThe place from which governmental authority is exercised (such as a capital city). of the United States, directed to the president of the Senate(See I.3.4-5.). The president of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificatesCertified documents. (In this case, the electoral ballots.), and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes for President shall be the President, if such number be a majorityA number greater than half of the total. of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers(That is, numbers of votes.), not exceedingSurpassing or going beyond; being greater than. three(That is, three persons among those receiving votes.), on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representationThe elected officials representing the voters, spoken of as a group. from each state having one vote; a quorumThe number of members of an organized body sufficient to conduct business. for this purpose shall consist ofTo be formed, made up, or composed of. a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. [And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon To pass on to; to be transferred or handed down to. them(That is, the House of Representatives.), before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice President shall act as President, as in the caseEvent; situation; circumstance. of the death or other constitutional disabilityA lack of the ability or legal qualification to do something, as determined by the Constitution. (See II.1.6.) of the President.]<sup>amd</sup[The words in brackets have been modified and supplemented by Amendment 20, sections 1 and 2.]

2. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice President shall be the Vice President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers(That is, the two persons having the highest numbers of votes.) on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice President; a quorum for the purpose(That is, the purpose of choosing the Vice President.) shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators(That is, the entire membership of the Senate rather than merely the number in attendance at the time.), and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible toLegally unqualified for, as determined by the Constitution. (See II.1.5.) the officeA position of responsibility or authority in government. of President shall be eligible to that(That is, the office.) of Vice President of the United States.

---

Amendment 13 - Slavery Outlawed
(Ratified December 6, 1865)

1. Neither slaveryThe practice of owning slaves. nor involuntary servitudeA condition of bondage or lack of freedom, imposed against a person's will., except as a punishment for crime whereofOf which. the partyA person. (In this case, the person held in servitude.) shall have been duly convictedProven guilty by established legal procedures (such as a trial by jury)., shall exist within the United States, or any place subject toBeing under the control of; owing allegiance or obedience to. their jurisdictionThe power or authority to govern or make laws..

2. Congress shall have power to enforceTo carry out; to put into effect. this articleA distinct part of an official document. (In this case, an article of amendment.) by appropriate legislationLaws that are fit or suitable. (In this case, suitable to the purposes of the amendment.).

---

Amendment 14 - Rights of Citizenship
(Ratified July 9, 1868)

1. All persons born or naturalizedGiven the rights of a native-born citizen after immigrating from a foreign country. in the United States, and subject toBeing under the control of; owing allegiance or obedience to. the jurisdictionThe power or authority to govern or make laws. thereof, are citizensPersons who owe allegiance to a government and are entitled to its protection. (In the United States, citizens have the privilege and duty of voting in public elections, serving on juries, and otherwise maintaining our system of free government.) of the United States and of the state whereinIn which; where. they resideIn which; where.. No state shall make or enforceTo carry out; to put into effect. any law which shall abridgeTo reduce, diminish, or make less. the privileges or immunitiesRights or protections which are granted or secured by law (such as the right to buy, own, and sell property; the right to travel on public highways; or the right to be protected from higher taxes than those imposed on other citizens). of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state depriveTo withhold or take away from. any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of lawLegal procedures (such as a trial by jury) carried out according to the established law of the land., nor deny toTo withhold from; to refuse to grant to. any person within its(That is, the state's.) jurisdiction the equal protection of the lawsThe same legal rights and protections given to all other persons in the state..

2. RepresentativesMembers of the U.S. House of Representatives, elected by the people to represent them in making laws for the United States. (Also called Congressmen or Congresswomen. See I.2.) shall be apportionedDivided, assigned, or distributed. among the several states according to their respective numbers(That is, the populations of the individual states.), counting the whole number of persons in each state, [excludingNot including; with the exception of. Indians not taxedCharged or required to pay taxes.]<sup>amd</sup[The words in brackets have been obsolete since the 1940s.]. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electorsQualified voters appointed by the states to elect the President and Vice President of the United States. (See II.1.2-4; Amendment 12.) for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the executiveElected officials in the executive branch of a state government (such as the governor and lieutenant governor). and judicial officersElected judges in the state courts. of a state, or the members of the legislatureAn organized body of people having authority to make laws. thereof is denied to any of the male inhabitantsPersons who live permanently in a certain place. of such state, being twenty-one years of age and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged except for participationThe act of taking part. in rebellionOpen, armed resistance or revolt against the government. or other crime, the basis of representationThe population figure used to determine how many Representatives will be elected to Congress. therein shall be reducedDecreased; made less or smaller. in the proportionPercentage; ratio; relative amount or degree. which the number of such male citizens shall bearTo have. to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such state.

3. No person shall be a SenatorA member of the U.S. Senate, elected by the people of his or her state to represent them in making laws for the United States. (Until 1913, Senators were appointed by the state legislatures to represent the state governments. See I.3.1; Amendment 17.) or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any officeA position of responsibility or authority in government., civilPertaining to the general public or civic affairs. or militaryPertaining to the armed forces (such as the army, navy, etc.)., under the United States, or under any state, who, having previouslyBefore; at an earlier time. taken an oathA solemn declaration by an individual (such as in a court of law) that involves calling upon God to witness the truth of what one says., as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any state, to supportTo sustain or uphold; to maintain; to keep from failing. the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged inTo have taken part in. insurrectionAn instance of a group of citizens openly rising up against their government. or rebellionOpen, armed resistance or revolt against the government. (This refers particularly to support of the Confederacy formed by the Southern states during the American Civil War.) against the same, or given aid or comfortAssistance, support, or encouragement. to the enemiesThose who belong to a nation or armed force at war with one's own nation. thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of each house, remove such disabilityThe lack of ability or legal qualification to do the thing or things previously indicated. (In this case, to hold any of the public offices described at the beginning of this paragraph.).

4. The validityLegal force; the capacity to be legally recognized and enforced. of the public debtMoney owed to others by a government. of the United States, authorizedGiven authority; made legal. by law, including debts incurredBrought on; taken on. for payment of pensionsAmounts of money paid by a government to individuals for past services, or for some disability incurred during public service. and bountiesExtra sums of money offered or given by a government to persuade citizens to enlist in the armed forces. for services in suppressingOverpowering, putting down, or subduing. insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questionedLegally disputed or challenged.. But neither the United States nor any state shall assumeTo take to oneself; to accept as an obligation. or pay any debt or obligationA legal bond, contract, or commitment requiring the performance of some act or the payment of money. incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipationThe act of setting (someone) free from slavery or bondage. of any slave; but all such debts, obligations, and claims shall be heldConsidered; regarded as. illegalNot legal; unlawful. and voidNot legal; unlawful..

5. The Congress shall have power to enforce(See definitions of this and other terms in this paragraph under Amendment 13, section 2.), by appropriate legislation, the provisions(Conditions; requirements. of this article.

---

Amendment 15 - Voting Rights for All Races
(Ratified February 3, 1870)

1. The right of citizensPersons who owe allegiance to a government and are entitled to its protection. (See Amendment 14, section 1.) of the United States to vote shall not be deniedWithheld; refused. or abridgedReduced, diminished, or made less. by the United States or by any state on account ofFor the sake of; by reason of; because of. race,color(That is, skin color.), or previousEarlier; prior; happening before. condition of servitudeA condition of bondage or lack of freedom..

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce(See definitions of this and other terms in this paragraph under Amendment 13, section 2.) this article by appropriate legislation.

---

Amendment 16 - Federal Income Taxes
(Ratified February 3, 1913)

The Congress shall have power to layTo charge or impose as a duty or burden. and collect taxesSums of money charged and collected by a government for public use. on incomesAmounts of money earned or gained through labor, commerce, investment, etc., from whatever source derivedReceived; obtained., without apportionmentThe act of dividing, assigning, or distributing. among the several states and without regard to any censusA count of the population. or enumerationA counting or numbering. (In this case, a census. See I.2.3; I.9.4.).

---

Amendment 17 - Election of Senators by Popular Vote
(Ratified April 8, 1913)

The Senate of the United States shall be composed ofTo be formed or made up of; to consist of. two Senators from each state, elected by the people(See I.3.1, which has been superseded by this provision.) thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electorsQualified voters. in each state shall have the qualificationsConditions that a person must meet before being considered fit or eligible for a certain privilege. requisite(Pronounced REK-wuh-zit.) Necessary or essential. for electors of the most numerous branchThe legislative chamber containing the largest number of members. of the state legislaturesThe lawmaking bodies of the state governments..

When vacanciesInstances of a public office being left vacant or unoccupied (due to death, resignation, etc.). happen in the representationThe elected officials representing the voters, spoken of as a group. of any state in the Senate, the executive authorityThe officer who executes or carries into effect the laws of a particular government. (In this case, the governor of a state.) of such state shall issueTo send out, put forth, or distribute. writs of electionOfficial documents ordering that elections be held (usually in cases of an unexpected vacancy in a public office). to fill such vacancies, providedOn the condition that; if. that the legislature of any state may empowerTo authorize; to give legal power or authority to. the executive(See definition of executive authority under this paragraph.) thereof to make temporaryLasting for a limited time. appointmentsOfficial acts of naming or appointing persons to public office. until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

This amendment shall not be so construedUnderstood, interpreted, or explained. as to affect the election or termA designated period of time for which a person is elected or appointed to serve in a public office. of any Senator chosen before it(That is, this amendment.) becomes validLegally recognized and enforceable. as part of the Constitution.

---

Amendment 18 - Liquor Outlawed
(Ratified January 16, 1919)

1. [After one year from the ratificationOfficial approval or confirmation by vote. of this articleA distinct part of an official document. (In this case, an article of amendment.), the manufactureThe act or process of making or producing (something)., sale, or transportationThe act of carrying or conveying (something) from one place to another. of intoxicating liquorsAlcoholic drinks (such as beer, wine, whiskey, etc.). within, the importationThe act of importing or bringing in (something) from a foreign country. thereof into, or the exportationThe act of exporting or sending (something) to a foreign country. thereof from the United States and all territoryAny geographical area owned or controlled by a state or nation, often located far from the seat of government. (In this case, a part of the United States that is not included within any state.) subjectUnder the authority or control of. to the jurisdictionThe power or authority to govern or make laws. thereof for beverage purposesTo be used for drinking. is herebyBy this document. (That is, by this amendment.) prohibitedForbidden; made unlawful; ruled out..

2. The Congress and the several states shall have concurrent powerExercised at the same time by two different authorities. to enforceTo carry out; to put into effect. this article by appropriate legislationLaws that are fit or suitable. (In this case, suitable to the purposes of the amendment.).

3. This article shall be inoperativeNot functional; having no legal force or effect. unless it shall have been ratifiedOfficially approved or confirmed by vote. as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislaturesOrganized bodies of people having authority to make laws. of the several states, as providedAgreed upon; arranged for; established or required. in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submissionThe act of submitting, presenting, or delivering. hereofOf this document. (That is, of this amendment.) to the states by the Congress.]<sup>amd</sup[This amendment was repealed by Amendment 21.]

---

Amendment 19 - Voting Rights for Men and Women
(Ratified August 18, 1920)

The right of citizensPersons who owe allegiance to a government and are entitled to its protection. (See Amendment 14, section 1.) of the United States to vote shall not be deniedWithheld; refused. or abridgedReduced, diminished, or made less. by the United States or by any state on account ofFor the sake of; by reason of; because of. sexDistinction between, or identification as, male or female..

Congress shall have power to enforce(See definitions of this and other terms in this paragraph under Amendment 13, section 2.) this article by appropriate legislation.

---

Amendment 20 - Terms of the President and Congress; Replacing the President
(Ratified January 23, 1933)

1. The termsDesignated periods of time for which persons are elected or appointed to serve in public office. of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the twentieth day of January, and the terms of SenatorsMembers of the U.S. Senate, elected by the people to represent them in making laws for the United States. (Until 1913, Senators were appointed by the state legislatures to represent the state governments. See I.3.1; Amendment 17.) and RepresentativesMembers of the U.S. House of Representatives, elected by the people to represent them in making laws for the United States. (Also called Congressmen or Congresswomen. See I.2.) at noon on the third day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this articleA distinct part of an official document. (In this case, an article of amendment.) had not been ratifiedOfficially approved or confirmed by vote.; and the terms of their successorsPersons who succeed or replace (others) in office. shall then begin.

2. The Congress shall assemble(That is, the Congress.) at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the third day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President-electThe person elected as President but not yet sworn in. shall have died, the Vice President-electThe person elected as Vice President but not yet sworn in. shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President-elect shall have failed to qualifyTo meet the required conditions. (In this case, the conditions required by the Constitution for service as President. See II.1.5.), then the Vice President-elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide forTo make plans or arrangements for in advance. the caseEvent; situation; circumstance. whereinIn which. neither a President-elect nor a Vice President-elect shall have qualified, declaringFormally or publicly stating or announcing. (In this case, by enacting a law or laws.) who shall then act as President, or the mannerForm; method; way. in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.

4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolvedTo have passed on to; to have been transferred or handed down to. upon them(That is, the House of Representatives. See Amendment 12, paragraph 1.), and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them(That is, the Senate. See Amendment 12, paragraph 2.).

5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the fifteenth day of October following the ratification of this article.

6. This article shall be inoperative(See definitions of this and other terms in this paragraph under Amendment 18, section 3.) 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.

---

Amendment 21 - Control of Liquor Returned to the States
(Ratified December 5, 1933)

1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is herebyBy this document. (That is, by this amendment.) repealedTaken back, cancelled, or revoked; made void (without legal force or effect)..

2. The transportationThe act of carrying or conveying (something) from one place to another. or importationThe act of importing or bringing in (something) from another state or country. into any state, territoryAny geographical area owned or controlled by a state or nation, often located far from the seat of government. (In this case, a part of the United States that is not included within any state.), or possessionA territory that is outside the geographical boundaries of (and often overseas from) the country that owns or controls it. of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquorsAlcoholic drinks (such as beer, wine, whiskey, etc.)., in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibitedForbidden; made unlawful; ruled out..

3. This articleA distinct part of an official document. (In this case, an article of amendment.) shall be inoperative(See definitions of this and other terms in this paragraph under Amendment 18, section 3.) 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 CongressFormal meetings or assemblies of citizens, specially organized to consider important political matters. (Thus far, this is the only amendment to have been ratified by specially elected state conventions rather than by the state legislatures. See Article V.).

---

Amendment 22 - Presidents Limited to Two Terms
(Ratified February 27, 1951)

1. No person shall be elected to the officeA position of responsibility or authority in government. 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 termA designated period of time for which a person is elected or appointed to serve in a public office. to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this articleA distinct part of an official document. (In this case, an article of amendment.) shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposedRecommended or suggested. by the Congress, and shall not preventTo hinder or stop; to keep from happening. any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operativeFunctional; having legal force or effect. from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.

2. This article shall be inoperative(See definitions of this and other terms in this paragraph under Amendment 18, section 3.) 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.

---

Amendment 23 - Presidential Electors for the District of Columbia
(Ratified March 29, 1961)

1. The districtA particular area or region. (In this case, the District of Columbia.) constitutingForming, composing, or making up. the seat of governmentThe place from which governmental authority is exercised (such as a capital city). of the United States shall appoint, in such mannerForm; method; way. as the Congress may direct, a number of electorsQualified voters appointed by the states to elect the President and Vice President of the United States. (See II.1.2-4; Amendment 12.) of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of SenatorsMembers of the U.S. Senate, elected by the people to represent them in making laws for the United States. (Until 1913, Senators were appointed by the state legislatures to represent the state governments. See I.3.1; Amendment 17.) and RepresentativesMembers of the U.S. House of Representatives, elected by the people to represent them in making laws for the United States. (Also called Congressmen or Congresswomen. See I.2.) in Congress to which the district would be entitled if it were a state, but in no eventCase; situation; circumstance. more than the least populousHaving the smallest population. state; they(That is, the electors.) shall be in addition to those appointed by the states, but they shall be consideredViewed, regarded, or classified as., for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a state; and they shall meet in the district and perform such duties as providedAgreed upon; arranged for; established or required. (See Amendment 12.) by the twelfth article of amendment.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce(See definitions of this and other terms in this paragraph under Amendment 13, section 2.) this article by appropriate legislation.

---

Amendment 24 - Voting Rights Protected from Taxes
(Ratified January 23, 1964)

1. The right of citizensPersons who owe allegiance to a government and are entitled to its protection. (See Amendment 14, section 1.) of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electorsQualified voters appointed by the states to elect the President and Vice President of the United States. (See II.1.2-4; Amendment 12.) for President or Vice President, or for SenatorA member of the U.S. Senate, elected by the people of his or her state to represent them in making laws for the United States. (Until 1913, Senators were appointed by the state legislatures to represent the state governments. See I.3.1; Amendment 17.) or RepresentativeA member of the U.S. House of Representatives, elected by the people of his or her state to represent them in making laws for the United States. (Also called a Congressman or Congresswoman. See I.2.) in Congress, shall not be deniedWithheld; refused. or abridgedReduced, diminished, or made less. by the United States or any state by reason ofFor the sake of; on account of; because of. failure to pay any poll taxA tax on each person, requiring the same amount from everyone regardless of ability to pay. (Poll means head. The poll tax is also called a capitation. See I.9.4.) or other tax.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce(See definitions of this and other terms in this paragraph under Amendment 13, section 2.) this article by appropriate legislation.

---

Amendment 25 - Replacing the President and Vice President
(Ratified February 10, 1967)

1. In case of the removal(The act of removing, dismissing, or taking away (someone). of the President from officeA position of responsibility or authority in government. or of his death or resignationThe act of quitting or voluntarily giving up a position., the Vice President shall become President.

2. Whenever there is a vacancyAn instance of a public office being left vacant or unoccupied (due to death, resignation, etc.). in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominateTo name, designate, or propose (someone) for appointment or election to some public office. a Vice President, who shall take office upon confirmationOfficial approval or ratification. by a majorityA number greater than half of the total. vote of both houses of Congress.

3. Whenever the President transmitsSends. to the president pro temporeTemporary president. (In the absence of the Vice President. See I.3.4-5.) of the Senate and the speakerThe presiding officer. (See I.2.5.) of the House of Representatives his written declarationA formal statement. that he is unable to dischargeTo perform or carry out. the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as acting President.

4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principalChief; most important; highest in rank. officers of the executive departmentsDepartments of the executive branch of the federal government. (See II.2.1.), or of such other bodyA group of persons organized for some purpose. as Congress may by law provideTo make arrangements for; to agree upon; to establish or require., transmit to the president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assumeTo take to oneself; to accept as an obligation. the powers and duties of the office as acting President. ThereafterAfter that., when the President transmits to the president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inabilityLack of ability. exists, he shall resumeTo assume or take again; to begin again; to return to. the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department, or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. ThereuponImmediately after that. Congress shall decide the issueAn outcome or result; a matter being disputed., assemblingA Meeting or coming together; convening. within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in sessionAssembled in a formal meeting (already) to conduct official business.. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receiptThe act of receiving. of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determinesDecides or settles. by two-thirds vote of both houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as acting President; otherwiseIf not., the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

---

Amendment 26 - Voting Rights for All Citizens Eighteen or Older
(Ratified July 1, 1971)

1. The right of citizensPersons who owe allegiance to a government and are entitled to its protection. (See Amendment 14, section 1.) of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be deniedWithheld; refused. or abridgedReduced, diminished, or made less. by the United States or by any state on account ofFor the sake of; by reason of; because of. age.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce(See definitions of this and other terms in this paragraph under Amendment 13, section 2.) this article by appropriate legislation.

---

Amendment 27 - Changes in Salaries of Senators and Representatives
(Ratified May 7, 1992)

No law varyingChanging or making different; increasing or decreasing. the compensationPayment. (See I.6.1.) for the services of the Senators and Representatives shall take effectTo be carried out or enforced; to become valid. until an election of RepresentativesMembers of the U.S. House of Representatives, elected by the people to represent them in making laws for the United States. (Also called Congressmen or Congresswomen. See I.2.) shall have intervenedCome between or occurred between. (That is, between the time the law is enacted and the time it takes effect. Representatives are elected every two years. See I.2.1.).

---