Section IX. Of classing the senators
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Of classing the senators
The senators who may be elected at the first general election after the adoption of the amendments to the constitution, shall be divided by lot into three classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the first year; of the second class at the expiration of the second year; and of the third class at the expiration of the third year; so that thereafter one third of the whole number of Senators may be chosen every year. The senators elected before the amendments to the constitution shall be adopted, shall hold their offices during the terms for which they shall respectively have been elected.
Of classing the senators
Immediately after the Senators shall be assembled, in consequence of the first election, subsequent to the first enumeration, they shall be divided, by lot, as equally as may be, into four classes. The seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the first year, of the second class at the expiration of the second year, of the third class at the expiration of the third year, and of the fourth class at the expiration of the fourth year; so that one fourth may be chosen every year.