2025 civics test · Question 32 · System of Government

Who elects U.S. senators?

Official answer

  • Citizens from their state

What this means

U.S. senators are elected by the citizens of their state.

Everyone eligible to vote in the state casts a ballot for their senators. This has been done by direct popular vote since the 17th Amendment was ratified in 1913. Before that, state legislatures chose the senators, but today the voters do.

Answer: the citizens (or people) of their state.

Why this is on the test

This 2025 question checks that you know senators are chosen directly by voters, which was not always the case in American history.

How this question is asked

On the 2025 civics test, the officer asks up to 20 of the 128 questions out loud and you pass by answering 12 correctly. You answer in your own words. There is no multiple choice and nothing to write down for the civics portion.

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