LibGuides: Primary Sources: U.S. Constitution: 20th Amendment

What it does

a.k.a. The Lame Duck Amendment

Establishes the beginning and ending dates of the terms of the Vice President and President as January 20th and members of Congress to January 3rd. (Previously both were March 4th.This ensured that the new Congress would elect the President if the electoral college failed to do so.)

Also establishes that the Vice President-Elect shall become President if the President-Elect dies or fails to qualify.

Online Sources: Amendment 20

Twentieth Amendment (Constitution Annotated)
Click on the link Twentieth Amendment Explained for more information.
"Lame Ducks" Doom Sealed
Joint Resolution Proposing the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution
Political Cartoon: The Post-Season Parade (3/5/1915)

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