Before the 17th Amendment, who had the authority to elect U.S. Senators?

Before the adoption of the 17th Amendment in 1913, U.S. Senators were chosen by state legislatures. This system reflected a federalist approach, allowing state governments to play a crucial role in the federal legislative process. The framers of the Constitution believed that having state legislatures elect senators would maintain a balance of power between the states and the federal government, as well as prevent the potential for popular sentiment to overly influence the legislative body.

The 17th Amendment altered this process by establishing the election of senators through direct popular vote, which addressed concerns about corruption and the disconnect between elected officials and their constituents. Therefore, before its ratification, the authority rested solely with state legislators, which directly shaped the relationship between federal and state powers.