How can the Constitution be amended?
(All help welcome)
Thanks a tom Ms.Sue!
The Constitution of the United States can be amended through a specific process outlined in Article V. There are two methods for proposing amendments and two methods for ratifying them.
1. Proposing Amendments:
a. Two-thirds Vote in Congress: The most common method is for an amendment to be proposed by a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
b. Constitutional Convention: In the alternative, an amendment can be proposed if two-thirds of state legislatures (i.e., 34 out of 50 states) call for a Constitutional Convention. However, this method has never been used for proposing amendments.
2. Ratifying Amendments:
a. Three-fourths Approval by State Legislatures: The most common method for ratification is when three-fourths (i.e., 38 out of 50) of state legislatures approve the proposed amendment.
b. Ratifying Conventions: Alternatively, an amendment can be ratified if three-fourths of states hold special ratifying conventions, rather than having their legislatures vote on it. This method was used only once for the 21st Amendment, which repealed Prohibition.
It's important to note that the ratification process doesn't involve the President. Once an amendment is proposed and ratified, it becomes part of the Constitution.
To conclude, amendments to the Constitution can be proposed either by a two-thirds majority vote in Congress or by a Constitutional Convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures. Likewise, they can be ratified either by three-fourths approval of state legislatures or by three-fourths of states through special ratifying conventions.