Constitutional Amendments Explorer

Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition

Protects five freedoms. The government cannot establish an official religion or stop you from practicing your faith, and it cannot silence your speech, censor the press, ban peaceful gatherings, or stop people from petitioning the government.

Right to keep and bear arms

Protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms, connected in its text to the need for a well regulated militia.

No forced quartering of soldiers

The government cannot force you to house soldiers in your home during peacetime without your consent.

Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. Police generally need a warrant supported by probable cause before searching your home or belongings.

Due process, no self-incrimination, no double jeopardy

Guarantees due process of law. You cannot be tried twice for the same crime, you cannot be forced to testify against yourself, and the government cannot take private property without fair payment.

Right to a speedy and public trial

Guarantees the rights of people accused of crimes, including a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, the right to a lawyer, and the right to confront witnesses.

Right to a jury trial in civil cases

Guarantees the right to a trial by jury in many civil cases, the kind of lawsuits that are about money or property rather than crimes.

No excessive bail or cruel and unusual punishment

Bans excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment for people convicted of crimes.

Rights not listed are still protected

Just because a right is not specifically listed in the Constitution does not mean people do not have it. The people keep other rights too.

Powers not given to the federal government go to the states

Any powers that the Constitution does not give to the federal government, and does not forbid to the states, are reserved for the states or the people.

Limits lawsuits against states in federal court

Limits when a state can be sued in federal court by citizens of another state or of a foreign country.

Separate electoral votes for president and vice president

Changed how the Electoral College works so that electors cast separate votes for president and for vice president.

Abolished slavery

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude throughout the United States, except as punishment for a crime.

Citizenship and equal protection under the law

Grants citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the United States and guarantees equal protection of the laws and due process for everyone.

Right to vote cannot be denied based on race

The right to vote cannot be denied based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Allows a federal income tax

Gives Congress the power to collect an income tax on what people earn.

Direct election of US senators

Senators are now elected directly by the people of each state, rather than being chosen by state legislatures.

Banned alcohol (Prohibition)

Banned the making, selling, and transporting of alcoholic beverages across the United States. This period is known as Prohibition.

Women's right to vote

The right to vote cannot be denied based on sex. This gave women the constitutional right to vote.

Sets start dates for presidential and congressional terms

Sets the dates when the terms of the president, vice president, and members of Congress begin and end, shortening the lame-duck period.

Repealed Prohibition

Repealed the 18th Amendment, ending Prohibition and making alcohol legal again. It is the only amendment that cancels an earlier one.

Limits the president to two terms

Limits a president to being elected to office no more than two times.

Electoral votes for Washington, DC

Gives residents of Washington, DC the right to electoral votes in presidential elections.

Bans poll taxes in federal elections

Makes it illegal to charge a poll tax, a fee for voting, in federal elections.

Presidential succession and disability

Spells out what happens if the president dies, resigns, or becomes unable to do the job, and how the vice presidency is filled.

Voting age set at 18

Lowered the voting age to 18, so the right to vote cannot be denied to citizens who are 18 or older based on age.

Delays congressional pay raises until after an election

A change to the pay of members of Congress cannot take effect until after the next election of representatives.