美利堅合眾國憲法
（當根據聯邦條例組成的第一個國家政府證明不能將原來的十三州結合成一個統一的國家時，美國人民探用了現在的合眾國憲法。合眾國憲法是世界上最古老的國家憲法之一，一七八九年三月四日正式成為美國的基本大法。數年之後，增加了首十條憲法修正案，亦即所謂權利法案，在其後的一個半世紀中又增加了另外十多條修正案。）
序 言
我們，美利堅合眾國的人民，為了組織一個更完善的聯邦，樹立正義，保障國內的安寧，建立共同的國防，增進全民福利和確保我們自己及我們後代能安享自由帶來的幸福，乃為美利堅合眾國製定和確立這一部憲法。
第一條
第一款：本憲法所規定的立法權，全屬合眾國的國會，國會由一個參議院和一個眾議院組成。
第二款：眾議院應由各州人民每兩年選舉一次之議員組成， 各州選舉人應具有該州州議會中人數最多之一院的選舉人所需之資格。
凡年齡未滿二十五歲，或取得合眾國公民資格未滿七年，或於某州當選而並非該州居民者，均不得任眾議員。
眾議員人數及直接稅稅額，應按聯邦所轄各州的人口數目比例分配，此項人口數目的計算法，應在全體自由人民－－包括訂有契約的短期仆役，但不包括未被課稅的印第安人－－數目之外，再加上所有其它人口之五分之三。實際人口調查，應於合眾國國會第一次會議三年內舉行，並於其後每十年舉行一次，其調查方法另以法律規定之。眾議員的數目，不得超過每三萬人口有眾議員一人，但每州至少應有眾議員一人；在舉行人口調查以前，各州得按照下列數目選舉眾議員：新罕不什爾三人、麻薩諸塞八人、羅得島及普羅維登斯墾殖區一人、康涅狄格五人、紐約州六人、新澤西四人、賓夕法尼亞八人、特拉華一人、馬裏蘭六人、弗吉尼亞十人、北卡羅來納五人、南卡羅來納五人、喬治亞三人。
任何一州的眾議員有缺額時，該州的行政長官應頒選舉令，選出眾議員以補充缺額。
眾議院應選舉該院議長及其它官員；隻有眾議院具有提出彈劾案的權力。
第三款： 合眾國的參議院由每州的州議會選舉兩名參議員組成之，參議員的任期為六年，每名參議員有一票表決權。
參議員第一次選舉後舉行會議之時，應當立即盡量均等地分成三組。第一組參議員的任期，到第二年年終時屆滿，第二組到第四年年終時屆滿，第三組到第六年年終時屆滿，俾使每兩年有三分之一的參議員改選；如果在某州州議會休會期間，有參議員因辭職或其它原因出缺，該州的行政長官得任命臨時參議員，等到州議會下次集合時，再予選舉補缺。
凡年齡未滿三十歲，或取得合眾國公民資格未滿九年，或於某州當選而並非該州居民者，均不得任參議員。
合眾國副總統應為參議院議長，除非在投票票數相等時，議長無投票權。
參議院應選舉該院的其它官員，在副總統缺席或執行合眾國總統職務時，還應選舉臨時議長。
所有彈劾案，隻有參議院有權審理。在開庭審理彈劾案時，參議員們均應宣誓或誓願。如受審者為合眾國總統，則應由最高法院首席大法官擔任主席；在未得出席的參議員的三分之二的同意時，任何人不得被判有罪。
彈劾案的判決，不得超過免職及取消其擔任合眾國政府任何有榮譽、有責任或有俸給的職位之資格；但被判處者仍須服從另據法律所作之控訴、審訊、判決及懲罰。
第四款： 各州州議會應規定本州島島參議員及眾議員之選舉時間、地點及程序；但國會得隨時以法律製定或變更此種規定，惟有選舉議員的地點不在此例。
國會應至少每年集合一次，開會日期應為十二月的第一個星期一，除非他們通過法律來指定另一個日期。
第五款： 參眾兩院應各自審查本院的選舉、選舉結果報告和本院議員的資格，每院議員過半數即構成可以議事的法定人數；不足法定人數時，可以一天推一天地延期開會，並有權依照各該議院所規定的程序和罰則，強迫缺席的議員出席。
參眾兩院得各自規定本院的議事規則，處罰本院擾亂秩序的議員，並且得以三分之二的同意，開除本院的議員。
參眾兩院應各自保存一份議事記錄，並經常公布，惟各該院認為應保守秘密之部分除外；兩院議員對於每一問題之讚成或反對，如有五分之一出席議員請求，則應記載於議事記錄內。
在國會開會期間，任一議院未得別院同意，不得休會三日以上，亦不得遷往非兩院開會的其它地點。
第六款： 參議員與眾議員得因其服務而獲報酬，報酬的多寡由法律定之，並由合眾國國庫支付。兩院議員除犯叛國罪、重罪以及擾亂治安罪外，在出席各該院會議及往返各該院途中，有不受逮捕之特權；兩院議員在議院內所發表之演說及辯論，在其它場合不受質詢。
參議或眾議員不得在當選任期內擔任合眾國政府任何新添設的職位，或在其任期內支取因新職位而增添的俸給；在合眾國政府供職的人，不得在其任職期間擔任國會議員。
第七款 ：有關征稅的所有法案應在眾議院中提出；但參議院得以處理其它法案的方式，以修正案提出建議或表示同意。
經眾議院和參議院通過的法案，在正式成為法律之前，須呈送合眾國總統；總統如批準，便須簽署，如不批準，即應連同他的異議把它退還給原來提出該案的議院，該議院應將異議詳細記入議事記錄，然後進行複議。倘若在複議之後，該議院議員的三分之二仍然同意通過該法案，該院即應將該法案連同異議書送交另一院，由其同樣予以複議，若此另一院亦以三分之二的多數通過，該法案即成為法律。但遇有這樣的情形時，兩院的表決均應以讚同或反對來定，而讚同和反對該法案的議員的姓名，均應由兩院分別記載於各該院的議事記錄之內。如總統接到法案後十日之內(星期日除外) ，不將之退還，該法案即等於曾由總統簽署一樣，成為法律，惟有當國會因而無法將該法案退還時，該法案才不得成為法律。
任何命令、決議或表決(有關休會問題者除外) ，凡須由參議院及眾議院予以同意者，均應呈送合眾國總統；經其批準之後，方始生效，如總統不予批準，則參眾兩院可依照對於通過法案所規定的各種組別和限製，各以三分之二的多數，再行通過。
第八款： 國會有權規定並征收稅金、捐稅、關稅和其它賦稅，用以償付國債並為合眾國的共同防禦和全民福利提供經費； 但是各種捐稅、關稅和其它賦稅，在合眾國內應劃一征收；
以合眾國的信用舉債；
管理與外國的、州與州間的，以及對印第安部落的貿易；
製定在合眾內一致適用的歸化條例，和有關破產的一致適用的法律；
鑄造貨幣，調節其價值，並厘定外幣價值，以及製定度量衡的標準；
製定對偽造合眾國證券和貨幣的懲罰條例；
設立郵政局及建造驛路；
為促進科學和實用技藝的進步，對作家和發明家的著作和發明，在一定期限內給予專利權的保障；
設置最高法院以下的各級法院；
界定並懲罰海盜罪、在公海所犯的重罪和違背國際公法的罪行；
宣戰，對民用船隻頒發捕押敵船及采取報複行動的特許證，製定在陸地和海麵虜獲戰利品的規則；
募集和維持陸軍，但每次撥充該項費用的款項，其有效期不得超過兩年；
配備和保持海軍；
製定有關管理和控製陸海軍隊的各種條例；
製定召集民兵的條例，以便執行聯邦法律，鎮壓叛亂和擊退侵略；
規定民兵的組織、裝備和訓練，以及民兵為合眾國服務時的管理辨法，但各州保留其軍官任命權，和依照國會規定的條例訓練其民團的權力；
對於由某州讓與而由國會承受，用以充當合眾國政府所在地的地區(不逾十哩見方)，握有對其一切事務的全部立法權；對 於經州議會同意，向州政府購得，用以建築要塞、彈藥庫、兵工 廠、船塢和其它必要建築物的地方，也握有同樣的權力；－－並且
為了行使上述各項權力，以及行使本憲法賦予合眾國政府或其各部門或其官員的種種權力，製定一切必要的和適當的法律。
第九款 ：對於現有任何一州所認為的應準其移民或入境的人，在一八○八年以前，國會不得加以禁止，但可以對入境者課稅，惟以每人不超過十美元為限。
不得中止人身保護令所保障的特權，惟在叛亂或受到侵犯的情況下，出於公共安全的必要時不在此限。
不得通過任何褫奪公權的法案或者追溯既往的法律。
除非按本憲法所規定的人口調查或統計之比例，不得征收任何人口稅或其它直接稅。
對各州輸出之貨物，不得課稅。
任何有關商務或納稅的條例，均不得賦予某一州的港口以優惠待遇；亦不得強迫任何開往或來自某一州的船隻，駛入或駛出 另一州，或向另一州納稅。
除了依照法律的規定撥款之外，不得自國庫中提出任何款項；一切公款收支的報告和帳目，應經常公布。
合眾國不得頒發任何貴族爵位：凡是在合眾國政府擔任有俸給或有責任之職務者，未經國會許可，不得接受任何國王、王子 或外國的任何禮物、薪酬、職務或爵位。
第十款： 各州不得締結任何條約、結盟或組織邦聯；不得對民用船隻頒發捕押敵船及采取報複行動之特許證；不得鑄造貨幣；不得發行紙幣；不得指定金銀幣以外的物品作為償還債務的法定貨幣；不得通過任何褫奪公權的法案、追溯既往的法律和損害契約義務的法律；也不得頒發任何貴族爵位。
未經國會同意，各州不得對進口貨物或出口貨物征收任何稅款，但為了執行該州的檢查法律而有絕對的必要時，不在此限；任何州對於進出口貨物所征的稅，其淨收益應歸合眾國國庫使用；所有這一類的檢查法律，國會對之有修正和監督之權。
未經國會同意，各州不得征收船舶噸位稅，不得在和平時期保持軍隊和軍艦，不得和另外一州或外國締結任何協議或契約，除非實際遭受入侵，或者遇到刻不容緩的危急情形時，不得從事戰爭。
第二條
第一款： 行政權力賦予美利堅合眾國總統。總統任期四年，總統和具有同樣任期的副總統，應照下列手續選舉：
每州應依照該州州議會所規定之手續，指定選舉人若幹名，其人數應與該州在國會之及眾議員之總數相等；但參議員、眾議員及任何在合眾國政府擔任有責任及有俸給之職務的人，均不得被指定為選舉人。
各選舉人應於其本身所屬的州內集會，每人投票選舉二人，其中至少應有一人不屬本州島島居民。選舉人應開列全體被選人名單，注明每人所得票數；他們還應簽名作證明，並將封印後的名單送至合眾國政府所在地交與參議院議長。參議院議長應於參眾兩院全體議員之前，開拆所有來件，然後計算票數。得票最多者，如其所得票數超過全體選舉人的半數，即當選為總統；如同時不止一人得票過半數，且又得同等票數，則眾議院應立即投票表決，選舉其中一人為總統；如無人得票過半數，則眾議院應自得票最多之前五名中用同樣方法選舉總統。但依此法選舉總統時，應以州為單位，每州之代表共有一票；如全國三分之二的州各有一名或多名眾議員出席，即構成選舉總統的法定人數；當選總統者需獲全部州的過半數票。在每次這樣的選舉中，於總統選出後，其獲得選舉人所投票數最多者，即為副總統。但如有二人或二人以上得票相等時，則應由參議院投票表決，選舉其中一人為副總統。
國會得決定各州選出選舉人的時期以及他們投票的日子；投票日期全國一律。
隻有出生時為合眾國公民，或在本憲法實施時已為合眾國公民者，可被選為總統；凡年齡未滿三十五歲，或居住合眾國境內未滿十四年者，不得被選為總統。
如遇總統被免職，或因死亡、辭職或喪失能力而不能執行其權力及職務時，總統職權應由副總統執行之。國會得以法律規定，在總統及副總統均被免職，或死亡、辭職或喪失能力時，由何人代理總統職務，該人應即遵此視事，至總統能力恢複，或新總統被選出時為止。
總統得因其服務而在規定的時間內接受俸給，在其任期之內，俸金數額不得增加或減低，他亦不得在此任期內，自合眾國政府和任何州政府接受其它報酬。
在他就職之前，他應宣誓或誓願如下：「我鄭重宣誓（或矢言)我必忠誠地執行合眾國總統的職務，並盡我最大的能力，維持、保護和捍衛合眾國憲法。」
第二款： 總統為合眾國陸海軍的總司令，並在各州民團奉召為合眾國執行任務時擔任統帥；他可以要求每個行政部門的主管官員提出有關他們職務的任何事件的書麵意見，除了彈劾案之外，他有權對於違犯合眾國法律者頒發緩刑和特赦。
總統有權締訂條約，但須爭取參議院的意見和同意，並須出席的參議員中三分之二的人讚成；他有權提名，並於取得參議院的意見和同意後，任命大使、公使及領事、最高法院的法官，以及一切其它在本憲法中未經明定、但以後將依法律的規定而設置之合眾國官員；國會可以製定法律，酌情把這些較低級官員的任命權，授予總統本人，授予法院，或授予各行政部門的首長。
在參議院休會期間，如遇有職位出缺，總統有權任命官員補充缺額，任期於參議院下屆會議結束時終結。
第三款： 總統應經常向國會報告聯邦的情況，並向國會提出他認為必要和適當的措施，供其考慮；在特殊情況下，他得召集兩院或其中一院開會，並得於兩院對於休會時間意見不一致時，命令兩院休會到他認為適當的時期為止；他應接見大使和公使；他應注意使法律切實執行，並任命所有合眾國的軍官。
第四款： 合眾國總統、副總統及其它所有文官，因叛國、賄賂或其它重罪和輕罪，被彈劾而判罪者，均應免職。
第三條
第一款： 合眾國的司法權屬於一個最高法院以及由國會隨時下令設立的低級法院。最高法院和低級法院的法官，如果盡忠職守，應繼續任職，並按期接受俸給作為其服務之報酬，在其繼續任職期間，該項俸給不得削減。
第二款：司法權適用的範圍，應包括在本憲法、合眾國法律、和合眾國已訂的及將訂的條約之下發生的一切涉及普通法及衡平法的案件；一切有關大使、公使及領事的案件；一切有關海上裁判權及海事裁判權的案件；合眾國為當事一方的訴訟；州與州之間的訴訟，州與另一州的公民之間的訴訟，一州公民與另一州公
民之間的訴訟，同州公民之間為不同之州所讓與之土地而爭執的訴訟，以及一州或其公民與外國政府、公民或其國民之間的訴訟。
在一切有關大使、公使、領事以及州為當事一方的案件中，最高法院有最初審理權。在上述所有其它案件中，最高法院有關於法律和事實的受理上訴權，但由國會規定為例外及另有處理條例者，不在此限。
對一切罪行的審判，除了彈劾案以外，均應由陪審團裁定，並且該審判應在罪案發生的州內舉行；但如罪案發生地點並不在任何一州之內，該項審判應在國會按法律指定之地點或幾個地點舉行。
第三款：隻有對合眾國發動戰爭，或投向它的敵人，予敵人以協助及方便者，方構成叛國罪。無論何人，如非經由兩個證人證明他的公然的叛國行為，或經由本人在公開法庭認罪者，均不得被判叛國罪。
國會有權宣布對於叛國罪的懲處，但因叛國罪而被褫奪公權者，其後人之繼承權不受影響，叛國者之財產亦隻能在其本人生存期間被沒收。
第四條
第一款： 各州對其它各州的公共法案、記錄、和司法程序，應給予完全的信賴和尊重。國會得製定一般法律，用以規定這種法案、記錄、和司法程序如何證明以及具有何等效力。
第二款： 每州公民應享受各州公民所有之一切特權及豁免。
凡在任何一州被控犯有叛國罪、重罪或其它罪行者，逃出法外而在另一州被緝獲時，該州應即依照該罪犯所逃出之州的行政當局之請求，將該罪犯交出，以便移交至小該犯罪案件有管轄權之州。
凡根據一州之法律應在該州服役或服勞役者，逃往另一州時，不得因另一州之任何法律或條例，解除其服役或勞役，而應依照有權要求該項服役或勞役之當事一方的要求，把人交出。
第三款： 國會得準許新州加入聯邦；如無有關各州之州議會及國會之同意，不得於任何州之管轄區域內建立新州；亦不得合並兩州或數州、或數州之一部分而成立新州。
國會有權處置合眾國之屬地及其它產業，並製定有關這些屬地及產業的一切必要的法規和章則；本憲法中任何條文，不得作有損於合眾國或任何一州之權利的解釋。
第四款 ：合眾國保證聯邦中的每一州皆為共和政體，保障它們不受外來的侵略；並且根據擄各州州議會或行政部門(當州議會不能召集時)的請求，平定其內部的暴亂。
第五條
舉凡兩院議員各以三分之二的多數認為必要時，國會應提出對本憲法的修正案； 或者， 當現有諸州三分之二的州議會提出請求時，國會應召集修憲大會，以上兩種修正案，如經諸州四分之三的州議會或四分之三的州修憲大會批準時，即成為本憲法之一部分而發生全部效力，至於采用那一種批準方式，則由國會議決；但一八○八年以前可能製定之修正案，在任何情形下，不得影響本憲法第一條第九款之第一、第四兩項；任何一州，沒有它的同意，不得被剝奪它在參議院中的平等投票權。
第六條
合眾國政府於本憲法被批準之前所積欠之債務及所簽訂之條約，於本憲法通過後，具有和在邦聯政府時同等的效力。
本憲法及依本憲法所製定之合眾國法律；以及合眾國已經締結及將要締結的一切條約，皆為全國之最高法律；每個州的法官都應受其約束，任何一州憲法或法律中的任何內容與之抵觸時，均不得有違這一規定。
前述之參議員及眾議員，各州州議會議員，合眾國政府及各州政府之一切行政及司法官員，均應宣誓或誓願擁護本憲法；但合眾國政府之任何職位或公職，皆不得以任何宗教標準作為任職的必要條件。
第七條
本憲法經過九個州的製憲大會批準後，即在批準本憲法的各州之間開始生效。
（編輯者宗亞平提供如下中譯文：）
附件條文，修補條文
依照本憲法第五條，經議會提議，各州製憲大會批準，聯邦憲法具有修補條文如下:
修補條文 I [宗教、言論、出版、聚會、請願 (1791)]
議會不能製定法律幹涉宗教發展和宗教活動、或限製言論、出版、和平聚會和向政府請願的自由。
修補條文 II [持槍權 (1791)]
不能限製守法民兵、人民為保證一個自由國度所必要的持槍權。
修補條文 III [Quartering of Troops (1791)]
除了法律賦予的形式，未經所有者容許，無論和平和戰爭時期，不能有軍人進人任何房屋。
修補條文 IV [搜查、拘扣 (1791)]
不能以無理搜查和拘扣侵犯人身、房屋、書信、行動的安全權利。但是，具有合法命令，標明具體地點、人物和物品的情況除外。
修補條文 V [陪審團、雙侵犯、自控告、程序 (1791)]
沒有陪審團的控告和在場，不能對任何人進行財產和犯罪的詢問。除非軍人和民兵在戰爭任務中，不能給予任何人生命和肢體兩次相同的冒險，不能強迫對犯罪作證，不能不經過法律程序剝奪生命、自由和財產，不經過合理補償不能將私人財物作為公用。
修補條文 VI [犯罪起訴、法庭審理、麵對和辯護權 (1791)]
在所有犯罪起訴中，被訴人有權要求在法律確認的罪行發生地區，由公正陪審團進行的快速和公開的審理，有權被告知起訴的事件和理由，有權麵對證人，有權指定強製的獲得證據的過程，有權獲得法律辯護。
修補條文 VII [民法案、陪審團審理 (1791)]
民法案應超過20美元，由陪審團審理的程序應該保留，由陪審團根據民法審理過的事實不能在美國任何法庭進行重審。
修補條文 VIII [過度保釋、罰款、殘忍和非常懲罰 (1791)]
不能索求過高保釋金、不能征收過度罰款，不能實施殘忍或非尋常的懲罰。
修補條文 IX [權利不被剝奪 (1791)]
不能列舉憲法其它條文，剝奪任何人憲法賦予的任何權利。
修補條文 X [州保留權 (1791)]
憲法沒有賦予國家的權利，或憲法禁止施與州的權利，歸州或人民所有。
修補條文 XI [對州的訴訟 (1795)]
注: 本條文對憲法的第3條第2款進行了修訂。另一個州的公民，或外國公民或團體不能使用美國法律對美國任何一個州進行訴訟。
修補條文XII [總統、副總統的選舉 (1804)]
注: 本條文對憲法的第2條第1款進行替換。選舉人應該在他們所在州聚會投票選舉總統和副總統，他們中的至少1人必須不是該州居民，選票應列出所讚同的總統的名字，獨立的選票列出投票的副總統的名字，選舉結果應分別列出2個獨立的單子，分別標明所有被選舉的總統的名字和各自得票數、所有被選舉的副總統的名字和各自得票數，選舉結果經簽名確認後，密封交聯邦政府直接給參議院總統；參議院總統應在參眾兩院會議當眾拆讀所有各州的單子進行選票統計；總統競選中得票最高者，且得票數超過半數則為總統；如果沒有超半數者，則選取得票最高的前3人，眾議院立即進行投票確定總統。但是，確定總統的投票以州計票，每個州的議員們具有1票；確定總統必須具有2/3以上州的議員給出有效票，總統必須具有半數以上的讚成票。[如果眾議院在隨後4天沒有確定出合法的總統，如同總統死亡或憲法確定的其它總統無效的情況，副總統將取代總統。]* 副總統競選中得票最高者，且得票數超過半數則為副總統；如果沒有超半數者，則選取得票最高的前2人，參議院進行投票確定副總統。確定付總統的投票必須有超過2/3的參議院議員給出有效票，並且具有半數以上的讚成票。但是，不符合憲法規定的總統候選人資格的人不能當選為聯邦副總統。
*被第20修補條文的第3款代替。
修補條文 XIII [廢除奴隸 (1865)]
注: 本條替代憲法第4條第2款。
款 1.
奴隸和強迫勞役不能在美國和她權利能夠涉及的地方存在，但是，對被判決的罪行的懲罰除外。
款 2.
議會具有權利通過立法強化本條文。
修補條文 XIV [優先權, 法律程序, 相等保護, 議員分配, 戰爭債務Debt (1868)]
注: 憲法第一條第二款被本條文修訂。
款 1.
任何在美國合法出生或移居者都是屬於居住州的美國公民。任何州不能通過和執行任何法條沒有經過法庭審理，剝奪人的生命、自由和財產的權利；不能詆毀任何人的平等法律保護 。
款 2.
各州眾議院議員的數量應按照他們所代表的人數來分配，人數是除不賦稅的印第安人以外的各州總人數。但是，當選舉總統、副總統、眾議院議員、州執行官、州法官和州立憲委員時，選舉人的計算僅計滿21周歲*的男性該州居住公民，但是，罪犯、暴亂者等其它減去人員不能計算，因此代表性應按照統計選舉人比所有滿21周歲男性公民總人數的比例減少。
款 3.
如果某人曾經宣誓捍衛美國憲法成為過議會議員、或政府官員、或國家法律人員、或任何州的執行官、或州法官，曾參加暴亂、或給敵人幫助或保護，該人不能成為參議院議員、或眾議院議員，不能成為總統或副總統的選舉人，不能主持任何聯邦或州的任何民事或軍事的政府部門。但是，議會可以通過超2/3讚成票豁免某人此否決性。
款 4.
聯邦按照法律所發行的國債，包括養老金、平叛暴亂費用等國債的有效性莫容置疑。但是，聯邦政府或任何州對幫助反對聯邦的暴亂所發生的債務、損失和解放奴隸的費用等不具有賠付的責任；這樣的債務、損傷和補償申請是非法和無效的。
款 5.
議會有權通過立法強化此條文。
*被第26修補條文第一款所改變。
修補條文 XV [不能因為種族而拒絕的權利 (1870)]
款 1.
聯邦和任何州不能因為種族、膚色或過去勞役種類否定或降低任何美國公民的投票權。
款 2.
議會有權通過立法強化此條文。
修補條文 XVI [所得稅 (1913)]
注: 本條文對憲法第一條第9款進行了修訂。議會有權不管收入的來源是什麽征收個人所得稅，不需要對各州分配配額或考慮任何州優先和豁免。
修補條文 XVII [參議院選舉 (1913)]
注: 本條文對憲法第一條第3款進行了修訂。聯邦參議院由每州選舉的兩名參議院議員組成，任期6年；每個議員有一個表決權。每個州的議員選舉人與州選舉選舉人的資質條件相同。
當任何州的參議院議員空缺時，該州執行長官應該頒發書麵選舉令填補空缺：州立憲委員會可以授權執行委員會指定臨時替代，直到立憲委員會組織選舉選出正式議員為止。
本修訂條文不能延伸影響本條文成為憲法以前的參議院議員的任期和選舉。
修補條文 XVIII [禁止 (1919)]
款 1.
本條文確認一年後，在美國和所能管轄的區域，一切釀造、銷售、運輸、進出口有癮酒類飲品被禁止。
款 2.
議會和各州有權通過法律強化本條文。
款 3.
本條文依照憲法，議會通過後送交各州立憲委員會7年內進行確認，在確認通過之前本條文不執行。
修補條文 XIX [婦女選舉權 (1920)]
聯邦和各州不能因為性別詆毀或降低美國公民的選舉權。
議會有權通過立法強化此條文。
修補條文 XX [總統任期和連任 (1933)]
款 1.
本條文通過有效後，總統和副總統的任期在任期結束年的1月20日中午結束，參議員和眾議員的任期交接時間是1月3日的中午，相同的時間接任者的任期開始。
款 2.
議會每年至少召開全會1次，召開日期為1月3日中午，除非他們依照法律另行指定不同的日期。
款 3.
如果在固定的總統就任時間時，選舉的總統死亡，選舉的副總統就任總統。如果在規定的時間總統沒有選定，或選舉的總統不夠資格，選舉的副總統將執行總統職責直到夠格總統被確定；如果總統和副總統都不夠資格，議會可以依法指定誰執行總統職責，或指定以什麽方式確定誰執行總統職責，直到夠格總統和副總統被確定。
款 4.
當眾議院選擇總統的候選人有死亡時，議會可以依法提供誰補充作為候選人，如果是參議院副總統候選人有死亡的情況，議會同樣確定誰補充作為副總統候選人。
款 5.
款 1 和 2 將在本條文通過後的第一個10月15日生效。
款 6.
本條文在提交各州審定的7年時間內，隻有在3/4州立憲委員會同意通過後，才開始執行。
修補條文 XXI [禁止取消 (1933)]
款 1.
聯邦憲法的第18修補條文從此取消。
款 2.
違法的在美國各州、區域、領地之間運輸和使用有癮酒是禁止的。
Section 3.
本條文依照憲法，議會通過後送交各州立憲委員會7年內進行確認，在確認通過之前本條文不執行。
修補條文 XXII [總統連任2屆的限製 (1951)]
款 1.
不能有人被選為總統多於2次，不能有人曾擔任總統或執行總統職責多於2年後，再被選為總統多於1次。但是當本條文由議會提交的期間，不能應用給任何執行總統，不妨礙在本條文執行時就任總統的任何人繼續作為總統完成剩餘任期。
款 2.
本條文依照憲法，議會通過後送交各州立憲委員會7年內進行確認，在確認通過之前本條文不執行。
修補條文 XXIII [特區的總統選舉 (1961)]
款 1.
在聯邦政府具有席位的特區以議會指定的如下方式確定選舉人：特區具有與一個州相同的總統、副總統的選舉人的數目，等同於特區具有的眾議員和參議員的總數， 但是，不能比人口最稀少的州的數目多；他們應該添加到各州指定的人選中，但是，在選舉總統和副總統時，如同州指定的選舉人，他們應該按照第20條修補條文的規定，在所在地區集合進行選舉。
款 2.
議會有權通過立法強化此條文。
修補條文 XXIV [人頭稅 (1964)]
款 1.
任何美國公民在交了人頭稅和其它稅後，聯邦和任何州都不能剝奪和降低其任何基礎和其它選舉總統、副總統、總統選舉人、副總統選舉人、眾議員和參議員的權利。
款 2.
議會有權通過立法強化此條文。
修補條文 XXV [總統接任 (1967)]
注: 本條文影響憲法第二條第1款。
款 1.
在總統被移走或死亡或辭職的情況下，副總統應該成為總統。
款2.
每當副總統位置空缺時，總統將提議一個人選，經眾議院、參議院多數投票通過後，擔任執行副總統。
款3.
每當總統遞交給參議院執行總統和眾議院議長一份書麵聲明，聲稱無法行使總統權利和事務時，直到他遞交議會書麵無法實施無效之前，副總統應該作為執行總統履行該職責。
款4.
每當副總統和多數議會依法設置的執行部門的負責人，遞交給參議院執行總統和眾議院議長一份書麵聲明，聲稱總統無法行使其權利和事務時，副總統應該立即施行總統權利和事務處理成為執行總統。
隨後，當總統遞交給參議院執行總統和眾議院議長一份書麵聲明，聲稱無法行使總統權利和事務不再存在時, 除非副總統和多數議會依法設置的執行部門的負責人，在4日內遞交給參議院執行總統和眾議院議長一份書麵聲明，聲稱總統無法行使其權利和事務，總統應該立即恢複他的權利和職責。有雙方聲明的情況下，議會如果不在全會期間應該在48小時內召集全會做出決定。如果議會在接到後者聲明的21天內，或者議會不在會期則在應該召開會議的時間以後的21天內，議會不能以多於2/3支持票做出如下決定：總統不能行使權利和職責，由副總統繼續履行執行總統，那麽總統應該恢複他的權利和職責。
修補條文XXVI [18歲投票權 (1971)]
注: 本條文第一款對憲法第14修補條文第二款進行了修訂。
款1.
聯邦和各州因為年齡，不能對年滿18歲以上任何美國公民的投票權進行剝奪和降低。
款2.
議會有權通過立法強化此條文。
修補條文XXVII [議員的報酬 (1992)]
任何改變眾參兩院議員報酬的法律在議員選舉期間沒有效力。
一個注解〔英文來自 (www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.overview.html)， 宗亞平翻譯〕：
序言 ["我們人民...."]；
第一條 [合法權利結構] , ..款 1. [法定權利歸屬] , .. 款2. [眾議院], .. 款3. [參議院], .. 款4. [議員選舉] , .. 款5. [參眾院規則], .. 款6. [議員報酬和特權], .. 款7. [議案通過程序] , .. 款8. [法定權利範疇] , .. 款9. [法定權利限定] , .. 款10. [對州的限製] ；
第二條[總統] , .. 款1. [選舉、就職、卸職] , .. 款2. [總統權利] , .. 款3. [聯盟, 大使, 執法, 行政長官] , .. 款4. [彈劾]；
第三條[司法], .. 款1. [司法權歸屬], .. 款2. [司法權利範圍], .. 款3. [叛國] ；
第四條[州], .. 款1. [誠信], .. 款2. [優先、免責、引渡、逃亡奴隸] , .. 款3. [Admission of States] , .. 款4. [Guarantees to States] ；
第五條[修補程序]；第六條[憲法的法律化]；第七條[確認] ；簽字；修補條文。
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The Constitution of the United States of America
Preamble
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Article I
Section 1
All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section 2
1. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous branch of the State Legislature.
2. No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the age of twenty five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
3. [Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other persons.] The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each State shall have at least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pensylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.
4. When vacancies happen in the representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.
5. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers; and shall have the sole power of impeachment.
Section 3
1. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote.
2. Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the fourth year, and of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one third may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen by resignation, or otherwise, during the recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies.
3. No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
4. The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.
5. The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.
6. The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present.
7. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States: but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law.
Section 4
1. The times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators.
2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
Section 5
1. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties as each House may provide.
2. Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behaviour, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member.
3. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either House on any question shall, at the desire of one fifth of those present, be entered on the journal.
4. Neither House, during the session of Congress, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Section 6
1. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other place.
2. No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United States which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no person holding any office under the United States, shall be a member of either House during his continuance in office.
Section 7
1. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments as on other bills.
2. Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a law. But in all such cases the votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each House respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law.
3. Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill.
Section 8
1. The Congress shall have power: To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
2. To borrow money on the credit of the United States;
3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian tribes;
4. To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States;
5. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures;
6. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States;
7. To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;
8. To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries;
9. To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court;
10. To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against the law of nations;
11. To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water;
12. To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years;
13. To provide and maintain a navy;
14. To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces;
15. To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions;
16. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
17. To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the Legislature of the State in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful buildings; and
18. To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.
Section 9
1. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person.
2. The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.
3. No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed.
4. No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
5. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State.
6. No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or revenue to the ports of one State over those of another: nor shall vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another.
7. No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.
8. No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince or foreign state.
Section 10
1. No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility.
2. No State shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection laws: and the net produce of all duties and imposts, laid by any State on imports or exports, shall be for the use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the Congress.
3. No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops, or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another State, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay.
Article II
Section 1
1. The Executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the Vice-President chosen for the same term, be elected, as follows:
2. Each State shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct, a number of Electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
3. The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a list of all the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each; which list 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 shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such majority, and have an equal number of votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately choose by ballot one of them for President; and if no person have a majority, then from the five highest on the list the said House shall in like manner choose 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. In every case, after the choice of the President, the person having the greatest number of votes of the electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal votes, the Senate shall choose from them by ballot the Vice-President.
4. The Congress may determine the time of choosing the Electors, and the day on which they shall give their votes; which day shall be the same throughout the United States.
5. No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.
6. In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation or inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
7. The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services, a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that period any other emolument from the United States, or any of them.
8. Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:---"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Section 2
1. The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several States, when called into the actual service of the United States; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the Executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.
2. He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by law: but the Congress may by law vest the appointment of such inferior officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.
3. The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions, which shall expire at the end of their next session.
Section 3
He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United States.
Section 4
1. The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
Article III
Section 1
The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services a compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.
Section 2
1. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority; to all cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls; to all cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction; to controversies to which the United States shall be a party; to controversies between two or more States; between a State and citizens of another State; between citizens of different States; between citizens of the same State claiming lands under grants of different States, and between a State, or the citizens thereof, and foreign States, citizens or subjects.
2. In all cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Congress shall make.
3. Trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial shall be held in the State where the said crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the trial shall be at such place or places as the Congress may by law have directed.
Section 3
1. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.
2. The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted.
Article IV
Section 1
Full faith and credit shall be given in each State to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.
Section 2
1. The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States.
2. A person charged in any State with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime.
3. No person held to service or labour in one State, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labour, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labour may be due.
Section 3
1. New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
2. The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any particular State.
Section 4
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion; and on application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic violence.
Article V
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the Ninth Section of the First Article; and that no State, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
Article VI
1. All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
2. This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any thing in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.
3. The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several State Legislatures, and all Executive and Judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.
Article VII
The ratification of the conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same.
Signatures
Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independance (sic) of the United States of America the Twelfth. In Witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names.
George Washington - President and deputy from Virginia
New Hampshire - John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman
Massachusetts - Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King
Connecticut - Wm Saml Johnson, Roger Sherman
New York - Alexander Hamilton
New Jersey - Wil Livingston, David Brearley, Wm Paterson, Jona. Dayton
Pensylvania[1] - B Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robt Morris, Geo. Clymer, Thos FitzSimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouv Morris
Delaware - Geo. Read, Gunning Bedford jun, John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jaco. Broom
Maryland - James McHenry, Dan of St Tho Jenifer, Danl Carroll
Virginia - John Blair, James Madison Jr.
North Carolina - Wm Blount, Richd Dobbs Spaight, Hu Williamson
South Carolina - J. Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler
Georgia - William Few, Abr Baldwin
Attest: William Jackson, Secretary
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:
Amendment I [Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition (1791)]
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.
Amendment II [Right to Bear Arms (1791)]
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.
Amendment III [Quartering of Troops (1791)]
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.
Amendment IV [Search and Seizure (1791)]
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.
Amendment V [Grand Jury, Double Jeopardy, Self-Incrimination, Due Process (1791)]
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.
Amendment VI [Criminal Prosecutions - Jury Trial, Right to Confront and to Counsel (1791)]
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 defense.
Amendment VII [Common Law Suits - Jury Trial (1791)]
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.
Amendment VIII [Excess Bail or Fines, Cruel and Unusual Punishment (1791)]
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX [Non-Enumerated Rights (1791)]
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X [Rights Reserved to States (1791)]
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.
Amendment XI [Suits Against a State (1795)]
Note: Article III, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by amendment 11. 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.
Amendment XII [Election of President and Vice-President (1804)]
Note: A portion of Article II, section 1 of the Constitution was superseded by the 12th amendment. 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 case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. --]* 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.
*Superseded by section 3 of the 20th amendment.
Amendment XIII [Abolition of Slavery (1865)]
Note: A portion of Article IV, section 2, of the Constitution was superseded by the 13th amendment.
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.
Amendment XIV [Privileges and Immunities, Due Process, Equal Protection, Apportionment of Representatives, Civil War Disqualification and Debt (1868)]
Note: Article I, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of the 14th amendment.
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,* 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 the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
*Changed by section 1 of the 26th amendment.
Amendment XV [Rights Not to Be Denied on Account of Race (1870)]
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 the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment XVI [Income Tax (1913)]
Note: Article I, section 9, of the Constitution was modified by amendment 16. 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.
Amendment XVII [Election of Senators (1913)
Note: Article I, section 3, of the Constitution was modified by the 17th amendment.
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.
Amendment XVIII [Prohibition (1919)]
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.
Amendment XIX [Women's Right to Vote (1920)
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.
Amendment XX [Presidential Term and Succession (1933)]
Section 1.
The terms of the President and the 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 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.
Amendment XXI [Repeal of Prohibition (1933)]
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.
Amendment XXII [Two Term Limit on President (1951)]
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 President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by 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.
Amendment XXIII [Presidential Vote in D.C. (1961)]
Section 1.
The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as 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.
Amendment XXIV [Poll Tax (1964)]
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 poll tax or other tax.
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment XXV [Presidential Succession (1967)]
Note: Article II, section 1, of the Constitution was affected by the 25th amendment.
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 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.
Amendment XXVI [Right to Vote at Age 18 (1971)]
Note: Amendment 14, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 1 of the 26th amendment.
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.
Amendment XXVII [Compensation of Members of Congress (1992)]
No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened.
An index note (www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.overview.html):
Preamble ["We the people...."], Article I [The Legislative Branch] , ..Section 1. [Legislative Power Vested] , ..Section 2. [House of Representatives], ..Section 3. [Senate], ..Section 4. [Elections of Senators and Representatives] , ..Section 5. [Rules of House and Senate], ..Section 6. [Compensation and Privileges of Members], ..Section 7. [Passage of Bills] , ..Section 8. [Scope of Legislative Power] , ..Section 9. [Limits on Legislative Power] , ..Section 10. [Limits on States] , Article II [The Presidency] , ..Section 1. [Election, Installation, Removal] , ..Section 2. [Presidential Power] , ..Section 3. [State of the Union, Receive Ambassadors, Laws Faithfully Executed, Commission Officers] , ..Section 4. [Impeachment], Article III [The Judiciary], ..Section 1. [Judicial Power Vested], ..Section 2. [Scope of Judicial Power], ..Section 3. [Treason] , Article IV [The States], ..Section 1. [Full Faith and Credit], ..Section 2. [Privileges and Immunities, Extradiction, Fugitive Slaves] , ..Section 3. [Admission of States] , ..Section 4. [Guarantees to States] , Article V [The Amendment Process], Article VI [Legal Status of the Constitution], Article VII [Ratification] , Signers, Amendments.
