The Twenty-Third Amendment

The Text

The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct: A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State;

What It Says

The District of Columbia receives presidential electors, capped at the number held by the smallest state.

What It Protects Against

Taxation and governance without any vote for the executive. Residents of the capital paid federal taxes and were subject to federal law while having no voice in choosing the President.

Protocol Media reading. Not sourced to a ratification-era document.

Problem Addressed

Residents of the District had no presidential vote from the founding until 1961, despite the District’s population exceeding that of several states.