So the Constitution says that the Senate has 2 members from every state, and that 1/3 of this continuing body is elected every two years and that senators have six year terms.
This all works fine and dandy now, but what about when the whole thing started? How did they decide which states had to elect new senators only 2 or 4 years after being elected, even though the Constitution specifically says every senator will have a six year term. Were there any disputes about this? And what has happened when new states were admitted into the union?
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.
From the US Const.
That answers half the question (thanks, barbitu8). How did they decide which states get to be in which class? Or was it done by senator (meaning, for example, that Virginia’s two senators would be up for re-election in different years). Given all the geographical/populational in-fighting during the creation of the Constitution, I wouldn’t be surprised if the decision over which Senators were in the first, second and third classes was frought with controversy. Or did they simply draw lots?
As I recall, it was done by lottery. I believe that as they went down the list, they made sure that no two senators from the same state were in the same class, so if Joe from New York got stuck with two years, Bob from New York would have to get either four or six.
When new states are created, each state’s new senators are assigned to one of the three Senate classes as well.