SoDu We the People
What does the Constitution actually say about our rights, elections, and the powers of government? Explore all seven articles and 27 amendments in our plain-English guide.
The U.S. Constitution is short enough to read in one sitting, but understanding what it means can take a lifetime. Its seven original articles create the federal government and divide its powers. Its 27 amendments protect rights, change elections, expand political participation, and correct parts of the original system.
This guide offers a plain-English place to begin. Search the articles and amendments, explore constitutional ideas that frequently appear in the news, and follow the primary-source links when you want to read the exact language. The Constitution belongs to everyone, not only lawyers, judges, historians, or elected officials.