What amendment to the US Constitution, adopted in 1913, provides for the election of US senators by the people?

The 17th Amendment to the US Constitution, adopted in 1913, was a significant reform that established the direct election of US senators by the people, rather than being appointed by state legislatures. This change aimed to reduce corruption and increase democratic participation in government. Prior to the amendment, senators were chosen by state legislatures, which often led to political maneuvering and a disconnect between the public’s needs and the decision-making in the Senate. By allowing the electorate to vote directly for their senators, the 17th Amendment reinforced the principle of popular sovereignty and made senators more accountable to their constituents.

The other amendments mentioned, such as the 16th, which pertains to income tax, the 18th, which established Prohibition, and the 19th, which granted women the right to vote, do not relate to the election of senators directly. Each of these amendments focuses on different aspects of governance and civil rights, highlighting the diversity of constitutional reforms enacted during that era.