The Preamble states that the purpose of the Constitution is to “form a more perfect Union,” to establish justice and peace, and to promote general well-being and liberty.

The United States Congress will consist of two legislative bodies, a House of Representatives and a Senate.

Voters [“electors”] in each state will choose representatives every two years who must be at least 25 years old, live in the state they represent, and have been a citizen of the US for a minimum of seven years. Voters in these elections shall meet the same qualifications as those able to vote to elect officials to “the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.”

A state’s population determines the number of representatives and those subject to direct taxation. Population is calculated by the number of free people and indentured servants of a state; enslaved peoples are counted as three-fifth of a free or indentured individual. Indigenous Americans are not included in this count. The United States will take a census every 10 years, with the first to be administered three years after the new Congress meets. The number of representatives is limited to one per 30,000 persons.