Which change did the 17th Amendment make regarding Senate elections?

• A. It required all Senators to be appointed by state legislatures.
• B. It allowed the President to appoint Senators without Senate confirmation.
• C. It established that Senators are elected by the people.
• D. It abolished the Senate entirely.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that the 17th Amendment established direct election of U.S. Senators by the people of each state. It changed the process from Senators being chosen by state legislatures to Senators being elected in popular vote, giving voters the direct power to pick their Senators. This shift was meant to reduce opportunities for corruption and deadlock in state legislatures and to increase democratic accountability. The other options aren’t correct because the amendment did not appoint Senators through the President or state legislatures, and it did not abolish the Senate.