Amendment, Twentieth

Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified in 1933. Sometimes called the ‘Lame Duck Amendment’, it shortens the time an outgoing president could be a ‘lame duck’, an official who has not been re-elected but continues to serve until the elected successor assumes office.

This amendment supersedes the Twelfth Amendment, bringing forward the date that an elected presidential candidate takes office from March 4 to January 20 and the start date for senators and representatives to January 3. It also specifies the power structure and procedure if a president-elect should die before assuming office.