Elections Clause
Article I, Section 4 lets states prescribe the times, places, and manner of elections for Senators and Representatives, while allowing Congress to make or alter those rules except the places of choosing Senators.
In constitutional practice
The clause directly concerns congressional elections. Rules that also reach presidential elections require attention to Article II, later amendments, and other statutory or constitutional authority.
Connected public record
Topic and question links below are editorial learning suggestions for this demo, not canonical relationships from the archived database.
Topics
Bills
Court cases
Practice questions
- Which constitutional provision most directly lets Congress alter state rules for elections to the House and Senate?
- Who initially prescribes the times, places, and manner of congressional elections under Article I, Section 4?
- Congress may never alter state rules for House and Senate elections.
- What does the text of an unpassed election bill establish?
- A House vote passing an election bill means the proposal has completed every step required to become federal law.
- The Elections Clause alone supplies one general federal power over every aspect of presidential elections.