Personal Rights Written in the Original U.S. Constitution

Passed by Congress, September 17, 1787

Ratified by the States, June 21, 1788

Article I, Section 9, Paragraphs 2 and 3

The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.

No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed.

Article I, Section 10, Paragraph 1*

No state shall … pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law….

Article VI, Paragraph 3*

… no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

Personal Rights Expanded by Constitutional Amendment

Civil War Amendments

Amendment XIII, Section 1, ratified December 6, 1865*

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude … shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Amendment XIV, Section 1, ratified July 9, 1868*

… No state shall shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States, nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Amendment XV, Section 1, ratified February 3, 1870

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Voting Rights Amendments

Amendment XIX, Paragraph 1, ratified August 18, 1920

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.

Amendment XXIV, Section 1, ratified January 23, 1964

The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.

Amendment XXVI, Section 1, ratified July 1, 1971

The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of age.

* abridged for substantive relevance