---
kind: "section"
citation: "36 U.S.C. § 22703"
title: "36"
title_heading: "Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations"
number: "22703"
heading: "Membership"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/36/22703"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Patriotic and National Organizations"
  - "Part B — Organizations"
  - "Chapter 227 — Amvets (american Veterans)"
---

# §22703. Membership

- (a) **Eligibility.—** Except as provided in this chapter, eligibility for membership in the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7) and the rights and privileges of members are as provided in the constitution and bylaws of the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7).
- (b) **Voting.—** Each member has one vote in the conduct of official business at the post level.
- (c) **Nondiscrimination.—** The terms of membership may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 105–225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1307.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 22703(a) | 36:67e (words before 3d comma). | July 23, 1947, ch. 298, § 6 (words before 3d comma, words after 3d comma related to discrimination in membership), 61 Stat. 407; Dec. 28, 1950, ch. 1178, 64 Stat. 1122; July 26, 1955, ch. 383, 69 Stat. 375; Sept. 14, 1966, Pub. L. 89–576, 80 Stat. 772; Aug. 15, 1977, Pub. L. 95–98, § 1(b)(2), 91 Stat. 830; May 31, 1984, Pub. L. 98–304, 98 Stat. 220. |
| 22703(b) | 36:67f(1) (1st sentence). | July 23, 1947, ch. 298, § 7(1) (1st sentence), 61 Stat. 407. |
| 22703(c) | 36:67e (words after 3d comma related to discrimination in membership). |  |

In subsection (b), the words “the right to” are omitted as unnecessary.