Explain the constitutional amendment process. List the two choices available for each step of the process. Please format your answer as follows: Step 1:Option 1:Option 2: Step 2: Option 1:Option 2:
Step 1: Option 1: Proposal by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Option 2: Proposal by a national convention called by Congress upon request of two-thirds (currently 34) of the state legislatures.
Step 2: Option 1: Ratification by the state legislatures of three-fourths (currently 38) of the states.
Option 2: Ratification by conventions in three-fourths (currently 38) of the states, which are specifically elected for the purpose of ratifying the proposed amendment.
Step 1:
Option 1: Proposal of Amendment by Congress:
- Two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate must vote in favor of the proposed amendment.
Option 2: Proposal of Amendment by Convention:
- Two-thirds of the state legislatures can call for a constitutional convention to propose amendments.
Step 2:
Option 1: Ratification by State Legislatures:
- Three-fourths of the state legislatures must vote in favor of the proposed amendment.
Option 2: Ratification by State Conventions:
- Three-fourths of the states can choose to convene special conventions to vote on the proposed amendment.
Step 1:
Option 1: Proposal by Congress - A constitutional amendment can be proposed by a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Option 2: Proposal by Constitutional Convention - A constitutional amendment can also be proposed if two-thirds of state legislatures (34 out of 50) call for a constitutional convention to propose amendments.
Step 2:
Option 1: Ratification by State Legislatures - Once an amendment is proposed, it can be ratified by three-fourths (38 out of 50) of the state legislatures. Each state legislature decides whether to ratify the amendment through a vote.
Option 2: Ratification by State Conventions - Alternatively, an amendment can be ratified if three-fourths (38 out of 50) of the states choose to hold special conventions. These conventions are specifically convened to consider and ratify the proposed amendment.
It's important to note that all amendments that have been successfully added to the United States Constitution to date have followed the first option for both steps, with Congress proposing the amendment and state legislatures ratifying it.