The constitutional text

Article I · Section 3

Select any highlighted phrase to understand what it means.

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.

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.]* 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

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse 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

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.

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.

Source: National Constitution Center edition. Original wording is preserved; commentary explains historical and superseded provisions.

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Article I, Section 3, Clause 2 — initial classes

Creating three Senate classes

historical provision
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes.

What it means

The first Senate must divide its seats into three classes as equally as possible. These classes organize the election calendar, not different grades of senatorial authority.

Historical setting

The initial division made staggered terms possible from the beginning. Without it, every initial six-year term would have ended simultaneously and the entire chamber would have faced replacement together.

What it does

The class system preserves an institutional body with continuing members across elections. Senators from different classes retain the same constitutional voting power and ordinary term length after the transition.

Debate & interpretation

Continuity can preserve experience and reduce sudden swings, but it also delays the full impact of a changed electorate. The constitutional design deliberately gives different institutions different rhythms of responsiveness.

A common misreading

A first-class senator does not outrank a second- or third-class senator, and classes are not political parties.

Think it through

What kinds of governmental decisions benefit from continuity even when public opinion changes quickly?

Follow the connection

Sources & further reading

Original Madison Center commentary. Explanations distinguish the text, historical context, and interpretive disagreements.

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