Amendments to the Constitution
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES ARTICLES IN ADDITION TO, AND AMENDMENT
OF, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PROPOSED BY CONGRESS,
AND RATIFIED BY THE LEGISLATURES OF THE SEVERAL STATES, PURSUANT TO THE
FIFTH ARTICLE OF THE ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION<1>
Article I.
<2>
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,
or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and
to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Article II.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Article III.
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the
consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed
by law.
Article IV.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers,
and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated,
and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath
or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and
the persons or things to be seized.
Article V.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous
crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in
cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual
service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject
for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall
be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor
be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;
nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Article VI.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy
and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein
the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously
ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation;
to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process
for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel
for his defence.
Article VII.
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty
dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried
by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States,
than according to the rules of the common law.
Article VIII.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Article IX.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed
to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Article X.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor
prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively,
or to the people.
Article XI.
The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend
to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the
United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects
of any Foreign State.
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Proposal and Ratification
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The eleventh amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Third Congress,
on the 4th of March 1794; and was declared in a message from the President
to Congress, dated the 8th of January, 1798, to have been ratified by the
legislatures of three-fourths of the States. The dates of ratification
were: New York, March 27, 1794; Rhode Island, March 31, 1794; Connecticut,
May 8, 1794; New Hampshire, June 16, 1794; Massachusetts, June 26, 1794;
Vermont, between October 9, 1794 and November 9, 1794; Virginia, November
18, 1794; Georgia, November 29, 1794; Kentucky, December 7, 1794; Maryland,
December 26, 1794; Delaware, January 23, 1795; North Carolina, February
7, 1795.
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Ratification was completed on February 7, 1795.
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The amendment was subsequently ratified by South Carolina on December
4, 1797. New Jersey and Pennsylvania did not take action on the amendment.
Article XII.
The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot
for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an
inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their
ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct 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 certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of
the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;--The President
of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives,
open all the certificates 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 majority of the whole number of Electors appointed;
and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest
numbers not exceeding three 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
representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose
shall consist 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 them, before the fourth day of March next
following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case
of the death or other constitutional disability of the President.<3>
--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 on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President;
a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number
of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a
choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President
shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.
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Proposal and Ratification
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The twelfth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed
to the legislatures of the several States by the Eighth Congress, on the
9th of December, 1803, in lieu of the original third paragraph of the first
section of the second article; and was declared in a proclamation of the
Secretary of State, dated the 25th of September, 1804, to have been ratified
by the legislatures of 13 of the 17 States. The dates of ratification were:
North Carolina, December 21, 1803; Maryland, December 24, 1803; Kentucky,
December 27, 1803; Ohio, December 30, 1803; Pennsylvania, January 5, 1804;
Vermont, January 30, 1804; Virginia, February 3, 1804; New York, February
10, 1804; New Jersey, February 22, 1804; Rhode Island, March 12, 1804;
South Carolina, May 15, 1804; Georgia, May 19, 1804; New Hampshire, June
15, 1804.
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Ratification was completed on June 15, 1804.
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The amendment was subsequently ratified by Tennessee, July 27, 1804.
The amendment was rejected by Delaware, January 18, 1804; Massachusetts,
February 3, 1804; Connecticut, at its session begun May 10, 1804.
Article XIII.
Section 1.
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment
for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist
within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.
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Proposal and Ratification
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The thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Thirty-eighth
Congress, on the 31st day of January, 1865, and was declared, in a proclamation
of the Secretary of State, dated the 18th of December, 1865, to have been
ratified by the legislatures of twenty-seven of the thirty-six States.
The dates of ratification were: Illinois, February 1, 1865; Rhode Island,
February 2, 1865; Michigan, February 2, 1865; Maryland, February 3, 1865;
New York, February 3, 1865; Pennsylvania, February 3, 1865; West Virginia,
February 3, 1865; Missouri, February 6, 1865; Maine, February 7, 1865;
Kansas, February 7, 1865; Massachusetts, February 7, 1865; Virginia, February
9, 1865; Ohio, February 10, 1865; Indiana, February 13, 1865; Nevada, February
16, 1865; Louisiana, February 17, 1865; Minnesota, February 23, 1865; Wisconsin,
February 24, 1865; Vermont, March 9, 1865; Tennessee, April 7, 1865; Arkansas,
April 14, 1865; Connecticut, May 4, 1865; New Hampshire, July 1, 1865;
South Carolina, November 13, 1865; Alabama, December 2, 1865; North Carolina,
December 4, 1865; Georgia, December 6, 1865.
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Ratification was completed on December 6, 1865.
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The amendment was subsequently ratified by Oregon, December 8, 1865;
California, December 19, 1865; Florida, December 28, 1865 (Florida again
ratified on June 9, 1868, upon its adoption of a new constitution); Iowa,
January 15, 1866; New Jersey, January 23, 1866 (after having rejected the
amendment on March 16, 1865); Texas, February 18, 1870; Delaware, February
12, 1901 (after having rejected the amendment on February 8, 1865); Kentucky,
March 18, 1976 (after having rejected it on February 24, 1865). The amendment
was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by Mississippi, December 4,
1865.
Article XIV.
Section 1.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject
to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the
State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which
shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States;
nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without
due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the
equal protection of the laws.
Section 2.
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States
according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons
in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote
at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President
of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial
officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied
to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of
age,<4> and citizens of
the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in
rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be
reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall
bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such
State.
Section 3.
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or
elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military,
under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken
an oath, 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 support the Constitution of the United States,
shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given
aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds
of each House, remove such disability.
Section 4.
The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized
by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for
services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.
But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt
or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the
United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave;
but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.
Section 5.
The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation,
the provisions of this article.
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Proposal and Ratification
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The fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Thirty-ninth
Congress, on the 13th of June, 1866. It was declared, in a certificate
of the Secretary of State dated July 28, 1868 to have been ratified by
the legislatures of 28 of the 37 States. The dates of ratification were:
Connecticut, June 25, 1866; New Hampshire, July 6, 1866; Tennessee, July
19, 1866; New Jersey, September 11, 1866 (subsequently the legislature
rescinded its ratification, and on March 24, 1868, readopted its resolution
of rescission over the Governor's veto, and on Nov. 12, 1980, expressed
support for the amendment); Oregon, September 19, 1866 (and rescinded its
ratification on October 15, 1868); Vermont, October 30, 1866; Ohio, January
4, 1867 (and rescinded its ratification on January 15, 1868); New York,
January 10, 1867; Kansas, January 11, 1867; Illinois, January 15, 1867;
West Virginia, January 16, 1867; Michigan, January 16, 1867; Minnesota,
January 16, 1867; Maine, January 19, 1867; Nevada, January 22, 1867; Indiana,
January 23, 1867; Missouri, January 25, 1867; Rhode Island, February 7,
1867; Wisconsin, February 7, 1867; Pennsylvania, February 12, 1867; Massachusetts,
March 20, 1867; Nebraska, June 15, 1867; Iowa, March 16, 1868; Arkansas,
April 6, 1868; Florida, June 9, 1868; North Carolina, July 4, 1868 (after
having rejected it on December 14, 1866); Louisiana, July 9, 1868 (after
having rejected it on February 6, 1867); South Carolina, July 9, 1868 (after
having rejected it on December 20, 1866).
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Ratification was completed on July 9, 1868.
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The amendment was subsequently ratified by Alabama, July 13, 1868; Georgia,
July 21, 1868 (after having rejected it on November 9, 1866); Virginia,
October 8, 1869 (after having rejected it on January 9, 1867); Mississippi,
January 17, 1870; Texas, February 18, 1870 (after having rejected it on
October 27, 1866); Delaware, February 12, 1901 (after having rejected it
on February 8, 1867); Maryland, April 4, 1959 (after having rejected it
on March 23, 1867); California, May 6, 1959; Kentucky, March 18, 1976 (after
having rejected it on January 8, 1867).
Article XV.
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be
denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race,
color, or previous condition of servitude.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.
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Proposal and Ratification
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The fifteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Fortieth Congress,
on the 26th of February, 1869, and was declared, in a proclamation of the
Secretary of State, dated March 30, 1870, to have been ratified by the
legislatures of twenty-nine of the thirty-seven States. The dates of ratification
were: Nevada, March 1, 1869; West Virginia, March 3, 1869; Illinois, March
5, 1869; Louisiana, March 5, 1869; North Carolina, March 5, 1869; Michigan,
March 8, 1869; Wisconsin, March 9, 1869; Maine, March 11, 1869; Massachusetts,
March 12, 1869; Arkansas, March 15, 1869; South Carolina, March 15, 1869;
Pennsylvania, March 25, 1869; New York, April 14, 1869 (and the legislature
of the same State passed a resolution January 5, 1870, to withdraw its
consent to it, which action it rescinded on March 30, 1970); Indiana, May
14, 1869; Connecticut, May 19, 1869; Florida, June 14, 1869; New Hampshire,
July 1, 1869; Virginia, October 8, 1869; Vermont, October 20, 1869; Missouri,
January 7, 1870; Minnesota, January 13, 1870; Mississippi, January 17,
1870; Rhode Island, January 18, 1870; Kansas, January 19, 1870; Ohio, January
27, 1870 (after having rejected it on April 30, 1869); Georgia, February
2, 1870; Iowa, February 3, 1870.
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Ratification was completed on February 3, 1870, unless the withdrawal
of ratification by New York was effective; in which event ratification
was completed on February 17, 1870, when Nebraska ratified.
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The amendment was subsequently ratified by Texas, February 18, 1870;
New Jersey, February 15, 1871 (after having rejected it on February 7,
1870); Delaware, February 12, 1901 (after having rejected it on March 18,
1869); Oregon, February 24, 1959; California, April 3, 1962 (after having
rejected it on January 28, 1870); Kentucky, March 18, 1976 (after having
rejected it on March 12, 1869). The amendment was approved by the Governor
of Maryland, May 7, 1973; Maryland having previously rejected it on February
26, 1870. The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by
Tennessee, November 16, 1869.
Article XVI.
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from
whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States,
and without regard to any census or enumeration.
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Proposal and Ratification
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The sixteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-first Congress
on the 12th of July, 1909, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary
of State, dated the 25th of February, 1913, to have been ratified by 36
of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Alabama, August 10, 1909;
Kentucky, February 8, 1910; South Carolina, February 19, 1910; Illinois,
March 1, 1910; Mississippi, March 7, 1910; Oklahoma, March 10, 1910; Maryland,
April 8, 1910; Georgia, August 3, 1910; Texas, August 16, 1910; Ohio, January
19, 1911; Idaho, January 20, 1911; Oregon, January 23, 1911; Washington,
January 26, 1911; Montana, January 30, 1911; Indiana, January 30, 1911;
California, January 31, 1911; Nevada, January 31, 1911; South Dakota, February
3, 1911; Nebraska, February 9, 1911; North Carolina, February 11, 1911;
Colorado, February 15, 1911; North Dakota, February 17, 1911; Kansas, February
18, 1911; Michigan, February 23, 1911; Iowa, February 24, 1911; Missouri,
March 16, 1911; Maine, March 31, 1911; Tennessee, April 7, 1911; Arkansas,
April 22, 1911 (after having rejected it earlier); Wisconsin, May 26, 1911;
New York, July 12, 1911; Arizona, April 6, 1912; Minnesota, June 11, 1912;
Louisiana, June 28, 1912; West Virginia, January 31, 1913; New Mexico,
February 3, 1913.
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Ratification was completed on February 3, 1913.
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The amendment was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, March 4, 1913;
New Hampshire, March 7, 1913 (after having rejected it on March 2, 1911).
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The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by Connecticut,
Rhode Island, and Utah.
Article XVII.
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.
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Proposal and Ratification
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The seventeenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-second
Congress on the 13th of May, 1912, and was declared, in a proclamation
of the Secretary of State, dated the 31st of May, 1913, to have been ratified
by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were:
Massachusetts, May 22, 1912; Arizona, June 3, 1912; Minnesota, June 10,
1912; New York, January 15, 1913; Kansas, January 17, 1913; Oregon, January
23, 1913; North Carolina, January 25, 1913; California, January 28, 1913;
Michigan, January 28, 1913; Iowa, January 30, 1913; Montana, January 30,
1913; Idaho, January 31, 1913; West Virginia, February 4, 1913; Colorado,
February 5, 1913; Nevada, February 6, 1913; Texas, February 7, 1913; Washington,
February 7, 1913; Wyoming, February 8, 1913; Arkansas, February 11, 1913;
Maine, February 11, 1913; Illinois, February 13, 1913; North Dakota, February
14, 1913; Wisconsin, February 18, 1913; Indiana, February 19, 1913; New
Hampshire, February 19, 1913; Vermont, February 19, 1913; South Dakota,
February 19, 1913; Oklahoma, February 24, 1913; Ohio, February 25, 1913;
Missouri, March 7, 1913; New Mexico, March 13, 1913; Nebraska, March 14,
1913; New Jersey, March 17, 1913; Tennessee, April 1, 1913; Pennsylvania,
April 2, 1913; Connecticut, April 8, 1913.
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Ratification was completed on April 8, 1913.
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The amendment was subsequently ratified by Louisiana, June 11, 1914.
The amendment was rejected by Utah (and not subsequently ratified) on February
26, 1913.
Article XVIII.
<5>
Section 1.
After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture,
sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation
thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all
territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is
hereby prohibited.
Section 2.
The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power
to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Section 3.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been
ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the
several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from
the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
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Proposal and Ratification
The eighteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United
States was proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-fifth
Congress, on the 18th of December, 1917, and was declared, in a proclamation
of the Secretary of State, dated the 29th of January, 1919, to have been
ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification
were: Mississippi, January 8, 1918; Virginia, January 11, 1918; Kentucky,
January 14, 1918; North Dakota, January 25, 1918; South Carolina, January
29, 1918; Maryland, February 13, 1918; Montana, February 19, 1918; Texas,
March 4, 1918; Delaware, March 18, 1918; South Dakota, March 20, 1918;
Massachusetts, April 2, 1918; Arizona, May 24, 1918; Georgia, June 26,
1918; Louisiana, August 3, 1918; Florida, December 3, 1918; Michigan, January
2, 1919; Ohio, January 7, 1919; Oklahoma, January 7, 1919; Idaho, January
8, 1919; Maine, January 8, 1919; West Virginia, January 9, 1919; California,
January 13, 1919; Tennessee, January 13, 1919; Washington, January 13,
1919; Arkansas, January 14, 1919; Kansas, January 14, 1919; Alabama, January
15, 1919; Colorado, January 15, 1919; Iowa, January 15, 1919; New Hampshire,
January 15, 1919; Oregon, January 15, 1919; Nebraska, January 16, 1919;
North Carolina, January 16, 1919; Utah, January 16, 1919; Missouri, January
16, 1919; Wyoming, January 16, 1919.
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Ratification was completed on January 16, 1919. See Dillon v. Gloss,
256 U.S. 368, 376 (1921).
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The amendment was subsequently ratified by Minnesota on January 17,
1919; Wisconsin, January 17, 1919; New Mexico, January 20, 1919; Nevada,
January 21, 1919; New York, January 29, 1919; Vermont, January 29, 1919;
Pennsylvania, February 25, 1919; Connecticut, May 6, 1919; and New Jersey,
March 9, 1922. The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified)
by Rhode Island.
Article XIX.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied
or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.
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Proposal and Ratification
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The nineteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-sixth Congress,
on the 4th of June, 1919, and was declared, in a proclamation of the Secretary
of State, dated the 26th of August, 1920, to have been ratified by the
legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Illinois,
June 10, 1919 (and that State readopted its resolution of ratification
June 17, 1919); Michigan, June 10, 1919; Wisconsin, June 10, 1919; Kansas,
June 16, 1919; New York, June 16, 1919; Ohio, June 16, 1919; Pennsylvania,
June 24, 1919; Massachusetts, June 25, 1919; Texas, June 28, 1919; Iowa,
July 2, 1919; Missouri, July 3, 1919; Arkansas, July 28, 1919; Montana,
August 2, 1919; Nebraska, August 2, 1919; Minnesota, September 8, 1919;
New Hampshire, September 10, 1919; Utah, October 2, 1919; California, November
1, 1919; Maine, November 5, 1919; North Dakota, December 1, 1919; South
Dakota, December 4, 1919; Colorado, December 15, 1919; Kentucky, January
6, 1920; Rhode Island, January 6, 1920; Oregon, January 13, 1920; Indiana,
January 16, 1920; Wyoming, January 27, 1920; Nevada, February 7, 1920;
New Jersey, February 9, 1920; Idaho, February 11, 1920; Arizona, February
12, 1920; New Mexico, February 21, 1920; Oklahoma, February 28, 1920; West
Virginia, March 10, 1920; Washington, March 22, 1920; Tennessee, August
18, 1920.
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Ratification was completed on August 18, 1920.
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The amendment was subsequently ratified by Connecticut on September
14, 1920 (and that State reaffirmed on September 21, 1920); Vermont, February
8, 1921; Delaware, March 6, 1923 (after having rejected it on June 2, 1920);
Maryland, March 29, 1941 (after having rejected it on February 24, 1920,
ratification certified on February 25, 1958); Virginia, February 21, 1952
(after having rejected it on February 12, 1920); Alabama, September 8,
1953 (after having rejected it on September 22, 1919); Florida, May 13,
1969; South Carolina, July 1, 1969 (after having rejected it on January
28, 1920, ratification certified on August 22, 1973); Georgia, February
20, 1970 (after having rejected it on July 24, 1919); Louisiana, June 11,
1970 (after having rejected it on July 1, 1920); North Carolina, May 6,
1971; Mississippi, March 22, 1984 (after having rejected it on March 29,
1920).
Article XX.
Section 1.
The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon
on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives
at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would
have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their
successors shall then begin.
Section 2.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such
meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall
by law appoint a different day.
Section 3.
If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President,
the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect 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 qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until
a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for
the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall
have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner
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.
Section 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 devolved upon them, 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.
Section 5.
Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October
following the ratification of this article.
Section 6.
This article shall be inoperative 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.
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Proposal and Ratification
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The twentieth amendment to the Constitution was proposed to the legislatures
of the several states by the Seventy-Second Congress, on the 2d day of
March, 1932, and was declared, in a proclamation by the Secretary of State,
dated on the 6th day of February, 1933, to have been ratified by the legislatures
of 36 of the 48 States. The dates of ratification were: Virginia, March
4, 1932; New York, March 11, 1932; Mississippi, March 16, 1932; Arkansas,
March 17, 1932; Kentucky, March 17, 1932; New Jersey, March 21, 1932; South
Carolina, March 25, 1932; Michigan, March 31, 1932; Maine, April 1, 1932;
Rhode Island, April 14, 1932; Illinois, April 21, 1932; Louisiana, June
22, 1932; West Virginia, July 30, 1932; Pennsylvania, August 11, 1932;
Indiana, August 15, 1932; Texas, September 7, 1932; Alabama, September
13, 1932; California, January 4, 1933; North Carolina, January 5, 1933;
North Dakota, January 9, 1933; Minnesota, January 12, 1933; Arizona, January
13, 1933; Montana, January 13, 1933; Nebraska, January 13, 1933; Oklahoma,
January 13, 1933; Kansas, January 16, 1933; Oregon, January 16, 1933; Delaware,
January 19, 1933; Washington, January 19, 1933; Wyoming, January 19, 1933;
Iowa, January 20, 1933; South Dakota, January 20, 1933; Tennessee, January
20, 1933; Idaho, January 21, 1933; New Mexico, January 21, 1933; Georgia,
January 23, 1933; Missouri, January 23, 1933; Ohio, January 23, 1933; Utah,
January 23, 1933.
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Ratification was completed on January 23, 1933.
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The amendment was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts on January
24, 1933; Wisconsin, January 24, 1933; Colorado, January 24, 1933; Nevada,
January 26, 1933; Connecticut, January 27, 1933; New Hampshire, January
31, 1933; Vermont, February 2, 1933; Maryland, March 24, 1933; Florida,
April 26, 1933.
Article XXI.
Section 1.
The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the
United States is hereby repealed.
Section 2.
The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or
possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating
liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
Section 3.
This article shall be inoperative 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 Congress.
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Proposal and Ratification
-
The twenty-first amendment to the Constitution was proposed to the several
states by the Seventy-Second Congress, on the 20th day of February, 1933,
and was declared, in a proclamation by the Secretary of State, dated on
the 5th day of December, 1933, to have been ratified by 36 of the 48 States.
The dates of ratification were: Michigan, April 10, 1933; Wisconsin, April
25, 1933; Rhode Island, May 8, 1933; Wyoming, May 25, 1933; New Jersey,
June 1, 1933; Delaware, June 24, 1933; Indiana, June 26, 1933; Massachusetts,
June 26, 1933; New York, June 27, 1933; Illinois, July 10, 1933; Iowa,
July 10, 1933; Connecticut, July 11, 1933; New Hampshire, July 11, 1933;
California, July 24, 1933; West Virginia, July 25, 1933; Arkansas, August
1, 1933; Oregon, August 7, 1933; Alabama, August 8, 1933; Tennessee, August
11, 1933; Missouri, August 29, 1933; Arizona, September 5, 1933; Nevada,
September 5, 1933; Vermont, September 23, 1933; Colorado, September 26,
1933; Washington, October 3, 1933; Minnesota, October 10, 1933; Idaho,
October 17, 1933; Maryland, October 18, 1933; Virginia, October 25, 1933;
New Mexico, November 2, 1933; Florida, November 14, 1933; Texas, November
24, 1933; Kentucky, November 27, 1933; Ohio, December 5, 1933; Pennsylvania,
December 5, 1933; Utah, December 5, 1933.
-
Ratification was completed on December 5, 1933.
-
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Maine, on December 6, 1933,
and by Montana, on August 6, 1934. The amendment was rejected (and not
subsequently ratified) by South Carolina, on December 4, 1933.
Article XXII.
Section 1.
No person shall be elected to the office 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 term to which some other person
was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more
than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office
of President when this Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall
not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting
as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative
from holding the office of President or acting as President during the
remainder of such term.
Section 2. This article shall be inoperative
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.
-
Proposal and Ratification
-
This amendment was proposed to the legislatures of the several States
by the Eightieth Congress on Mar. 21, 1947 by House Joint Res. No. 27,
and was declared by the Administrator of General Services, on Mar. 1, 1951,
to have been ratified by the legislatures of 36 of the 48 States. The dates
of ratification were: Maine, March 31, 1947; Michigan, March 31, 1947;
Iowa, April 1, 1947; Kansas, April 1, 1947; New Hampshire, April 1, 1947;
Delaware, April 2, 1947; Illinois, April 3, 1947; Oregon, April 3, 1947;
Colorado, April 12, 1947; California, April 15, 1947; New Jersey, April
15, 1947; Vermont, April 15, 1947; Ohio, April 16, 1947; Wisconsin, April
16, 1947; Pennsylvania, April 29, 1947; Connecticut, May 21, 1947; Missouri,
May 22, 1947; Nebraska, May 23, 1947; Virginia, January 28, 1948; Mississippi,
February 12, 1948; New York, March 9, 1948; South Dakota, January 21, 1949;
North Dakota, February 25, 1949; Louisiana, May 17, 1950; Montana, January
25, 1951; Indiana, January 29, 1951; Idaho, January 30, 1951; New Mexico,
February 12, 1951; Wyoming, February 12, 1951; Arkansas, February 15, 1951;
Georgia, February 17, 1951; Tennessee, February 20, 1951; Texas, February
22, 1951; Nevada, February 26, 1951; Utah, February 26, 1951; Minnesota,
February 27, 1951.
-
Ratification was completed on February 27, 1951.
-
The amendment was subsequently ratified by North Carolina on February
28, 1951; South Carolina, March 13, 1951; Maryland, March 14, 1951; Florida,
April 16, 1951; Alabama, May 4, 1951. The amendment was rejected (and not
subsequently ratified) by Oklahoma in June 1947, and Massachusetts on June
9, 1949.
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Certification of Validity
-
Publication of the certifying statement of the Administrator of General
Services that the amendment had become valid was made on Mar. 1, 1951,
F.R. Doc. 51 092940, 16 F.R. 2019.
Article XXIII.
Section 1.
The District constituting the seat of Government of the United
States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct:
-
A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole
number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District
would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least
populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States,
but they shall be considered, 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 provided by the twelfth
article of amendment.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.
-
Proposal and Ratification
-
This amendment was proposed by the Eighty-sixth Congress on June 17,
1960 and was declared by the Administrator of General Services on Apr.
3, 1961, to have been ratified by 38 of the 50 States. The dates of ratification
were: Hawaii, June 23, 1960 (and that State made a technical correction
to its resolution on June 30, 1960); Massachusetts, August 22, 1960; New
Jersey, December 19, 1960; New York, January 17, 1961; California, January
19, 1961; Oregon, January 27, 1961; Maryland, January 30, 1961; Idaho,
January 31, 1961; Maine, January 31, 1961; Minnesota, January 31, 1961;
New Mexico, February 1, 1961; Nevada, February 2, 1961; Montana, February
6, 1961; South Dakota, February 6, 1961; Colorado, February 8, 1961; Washington,
February 9, 1961; West Virginia, February 9, 1961; Alaska, February 10,
1961; Wyoming, February 13, 1961; Delaware, February 20, 1961; Utah, February
21, 1961; Wisconsin, February 21, 1961; Pennsylvania, February 28, 1961;
Indiana, March 3, 1961; North Dakota, March 3, 1961; Tennessee, March 6,
1961; Michigan, March 8, 1961; Connecticut, March 9, 1961; Arizona, March
10, 1961; Illinois, March 14, 1961; Nebraska, March 15, 1961; Vermont,
March 15, 1961; Iowa, March 16, 1961; Missouri, March 20, 1961; Oklahoma,
March 21, 1961; Rhode Island, March 22, 1961; Kansas, March 29, 1961; Ohio,
March 29, 1961.
-
Ratification was completed on March 29, 1961.
-
The amendment was subsequently ratified by New Hampshire on March 30,
1961 (when that State annulled and then repeated its ratification of March
29, 1961). The amendment was rejected (and not subsequently ratified) by
Arkansas on January 24, 1961.
-
Certification of Validity
-
Publication of the certifying statement of the Administrator of General
Services that the amendment had become valid was made on Apr. 3, 1961,
F.R. Doc. 61 093017, 26 F.R. 2808.
Article XXIV.
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary
or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President
or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall
not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of
failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.
-
Proposal and Ratification
This amendment was proposed by the Eighty-seventh Congress
by Senate Joint Resolution No. 29, which was approved by the Senate on
Mar. 27, 1962, and by the House of Representatives on Aug. 27, 1962. It
was declared by the Administrator of General Services on Feb. 4, 1964,
to have been ratified by the legislatures of 38 of the 50 States. This
amendment was ratified by the following States: Illinois, November 14,
1962; New Jersey, December 3, 1962; Oregon, January 25, 1963; Montana,
January 28, 1963; West Virginia, February 1, 1963; New York, February 4,
1963; Maryland, February 6, 1963; California, February 7, 1963; Alaska,
February 11, 1963; Rhode Island, February 14, 1963; Indiana, February 19,
1963; Utah, February 20, 1963; Michigan, February 20, 1963; Colorado, February
21, 1963; Ohio, February 27, 1963; Minnesota, February 27, 1963; New Mexico,
March 5, 1963; Hawaii, March 6, 1963; North Dakota, March 7, 1963; Idaho,
March 8, 1963; Washington, March 14, 1963; Vermont, March 15, 1963; Nevada,
March 19, 1963; Connecticut, March 20, 1963; Tennessee, March 21, 1963;
Pennsylvania, March 25, 1963; Wisconsin, March 26, 1963; Kansas, March
28, 1963; Massachusetts, March 28, 1963; Nebraska, April 4, 1963; Florida,
April 18, 1963; Iowa, April 24, 1963; Delaware, May 1, 1963; Missouri,
May 13, 1963; New Hampshire, June 12, 1963; Kentucky, June 27, 1963; Maine,
January 16, 1964; South Dakota, January 23, 1964; Virginia, February 25,
1977.
-
Ratification was completed on January 23, 1964.
-
The amendment was subsequently ratified by North Carolina on May 3,
1989. The amendment was rejected by Mississippi (and not subsequently ratified)
on December 20, 1962. Certification of Validity Publication of the certifying
statement of the Administrator of General Services that the amendment had
become valid was made on Feb. 5, 1964, F.R. Doc. 64 091229, 29 F.R. 1715.
Article XXV.
Section 1.
In case of the removal of the President from office or of his
death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
Section 2.
Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President,
the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon
confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
Section 3.
Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore
of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written
declaration that he is unable to discharge 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.
Section 4.
Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal
officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress
may by law provide, 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 assume the powers and duties
of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter, 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 inability exists, he shall resume the powers
and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either
the principal officers of the executive department<6>
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. Thereupon Congress
shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose
if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt
of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within
twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines 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; otherwise, the President shall resume the
powers and duties of his office.
-
Proposal and Ratification
This amendment was proposed by the Eighty-ninth Congress
by Senate Joint Resolution No. 1, which was approved by the Senate on Feb.
19, 1965, and by the House of Representatives, in amended form, on Apr.
13, 1965. The House of Representatives agreed to a Conference Report on
June 30, 1965, and the Senate agreed to the Conference Report on July 6,
1965. It was declared by the Administrator of General Services, on Feb.
23, 1967, to have been ratified by the legislatures of 39 of the 50 States.
This amendment was ratified by the following States: Nebraska, July 12,
1965; Wisconsin, July 13, 1965; Oklahoma, July 16, 1965; Massachusetts,
August 9, 1965; Pennsylvania, August 18, 1965; Kentucky, September 15,
1965; Arizona, September 22, 1965; Michigan, October 5, 1965; Indiana,
October 20, 1965; California, October 21, 1965; Arkansas, November 4, 1965;
New Jersey, November 29, 1965; Delaware, December 7, 1965; Utah, January
17, 1966; West Virginia, January 20, 1966; Maine, January 24, 1966; Rhode
Island, January 28, 1966; Colorado, February 3, 1966; New Mexico, February
3, 1966; Kansas, February 8, 1966; Vermont, February 10, 1966; Alaska,
February 18, 1966; Idaho, March 2, 1966; Hawaii, March 3, 1966; Virginia,
March 8, 1966; Mississippi, March 10, 1966; New York, March 14, 1966; Maryland,
March 23, 1966; Missouri, March 30, 1966; New Hampshire, June 13, 1966;
Louisiana, July 5, 1966; Tennessee, January 12, 1967; Wyoming, January
25, 1967; Washington, January 26, 1967; Iowa, January 26, 1967; Oregon,
February 2, 1967; Minnesota, February 10, 1967; Nevada, February 10, 1967.
-
Ratification was completed on February 10, 1967.
-
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Connecticut, February 14,
1967; Montana, February 15, 1967; South Dakota, March 6, 1967; Ohio, March
7, 1967; Alabama, March 14, 1967; North Carolina, March 22, 1967; Illinois,
March 22, 1967; Texas, April 25, 1967; Florida, May 25, 1967.
-
Certification of Validity
Publication of the certifying statement of the Administrator
of General Services that the amendment had become valid was made on Feb.
25, 1967, F.R. Doc. 67 092208, 32 F.R. 3287.
Article XXVI.
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years
of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United
States or by any State on account of age.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.
-
Proposal and Ratification
-
This amendment was proposed by the Ninety-second Congress by Senate
Joint Resolution No. 7, which was approved by the Senate on Mar. 10, 1971,
and by the House of Representatives on Mar. 23, 1971. It was declared by
the Administrator of General Services on July 5, 1971, to have been ratified
by the legislatures of 39 of the 50 States. This amendment was ratified
by the following States: Connecticut, March 23, 1971; Delaware, March 23,
1971; Minnesota, March 23, 1971; Tennessee, March 23, 1971; Washington,
March 23, 1971; Hawaii, March 24, 1971; Massachusetts, March 24, 1971;
Montana, March 29, 1971; Arkansas, March 30, 1971; Idaho, March 30, 1971;
Iowa, March 30, 1971; Nebraska, April 2, 1971; New Jersey, April 3, 1971;
Kansas, April 7, 1971; Michigan, April 7, 1971; Alaska, April 8, 1971;
Maryland, April 8, 1971; Indiana, April 8, 1971; Maine, April 9, 1971;
Vermont, April 16, 1971; Louisiana, April 17, 1971; California, April 19,
1971; Colorado, April 27, 1971; Pennsylvania, April 27, 1971; Texas, April
27, 1971; South Carolina, April 28, 1971; West Virginia, April 28, 1971;
New Hampshire, May 13, 1971; Arizona, May 14, 1971; Rhode Island, May 27,
1971; New York, June 2, 1971; Oregon, June 4, 1971; Missouri, June 14,
1971; Wisconsin, June 22, 1971; Illinois, June 29, 1971; Alabama, June
30, 1971; Ohio, June 30, 1971; North Carolina, July 1, 1971; Oklahoma,
July 1, 1971.
-
Ratification was completed on July 1, 1971.
-
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Virginia, July 8, 1971; Wyoming,
July 8, 1971; Georgia, October 4, 1971.
-
Certification of Validity
Publication of the certifying statement of the Administrator
of General Services that the amendment had become valid was made on July
7, 1971, F.R. Doc. 71 099691, 36 F.R. 12725.
Article XXVII.
No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives,
shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.
-
Proposal and Ratification
-
This amendment, being the second of twelve articles proposed by the
First Congress on Sept. 25, 1789, was declared by the Archivist of the
United States on May 18, 1992, to have been ratified by the legislatures
of 40 of the 50 States. This amendment was ratified by the following States:
Maryland, December 19, 1789; North Carolina, December 22, 1789; South Carolina,
January 19, 1790; Delaware, January 28, 1790; Vermont, November 3, 1791;
Virginia, December 15, 1791; Ohio, May 6, 1873; Wyoming, March 6, 1978;
Maine, April 27, 1983; Colorado, April 22, 1984; South Dakota, February
21, 1985; New Hampshire, March 7, 1985; Arizona, April 3, 1985; Tennessee,
May 23, 1985; Oklahoma, July 10, 1985; New Mexico, February 14, 1986; Indiana,
February 24, 1986; Utah, February 25, 1986; Arkansas, March 6, 1987; Montana,
March 17, 1987; Connecticut, May 13, 1987; Wisconsin, July 15, 1987; Georgia,
February 2, 1988; West Virginia, March 10, 1988; Louisiana, July 7, 1988;
Iowa, February 9, 1989; Idaho, March 23, 1989; Nevada, April 26, 1989;
Alaska, May 6, 1989; Oregon, May 19, 1989; Minnesota, May 22, 1989; Texas,
May 25, 1989; Kansas, April 5, 1990; Florida, May 31, 1990; North Dakota,
March 25, 1991; Alabama, May 5, 1992; Missouri, May 5, 1992; Michigan,
May 7, 1992; New Jersey, May 7, 1992.
-
Ratification was completed on May 7, 1992.
-
The amendment was subsequently ratified by Illinois on May 12, 1992.
-
Certification of Validity
Publication of the certifying statement of the Archivist
of the United States that the amendment had become valid was made on May
18, 1992, F.R. Doc. 92 0911951, 57 F.R. 21187.
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