Amendments to the U.S. Constitution

Question: Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

Answer: The Eighth Amendment comes almost verbatim from the English Bill of Rights (1689). The Eighth Amendment’s text reads: “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”

Question: Extends voting rights to citizens aged 18 or older.

Answer: The twenty-sixth amendment says "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."

Question: Prohibits imposing poll taxes.

Answer: The 24th amendment states: "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 any poll tax or other tax."

Question: Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures.

Answer: The Fourth Amendment states: "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."

Question: Abolishes slavery.

Answer: The Thirteenth Amendment states: "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."

Question: Limits the number of times a person may be elected to the presidency.

Answer: The Twenty-second Amendment effectively limits the presidency to two terms.

Question: Grants freedom of religion, speech, and the press.

Answer: The First Amendment says "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."

Question: Gives the right to bear arms.

Answer: The Second Amendment reads, “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.”

Question: Gives women the right to vote.

Answer: The Nineteenth Amendment states: "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."

Question: Prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy.

Answer: When people "plead the fifth" they invoke the Fifth Amendment: "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."