How can the constitution be amended?
(4 points)
1. Proposal by Congress: A constitutional amendment can be proposed by a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This requires support from a significant portion of lawmakers and demonstrates broad consensus for the amendment.
2. Constitutional Convention: Alternatively, an amendment can be proposed by a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of the state legislatures. This method has never been used to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
3. Ratification by State Legislatures: Once an amendment has been proposed, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures (38 out of 50 states) within a set period of time. This can be done through a vote in both chambers of the state legislature, where approval from a simple majority is generally required.
4. Ratification by State Conventions: Instead of state legislatures, an amendment can also be ratified by three-fourths of the states through special conventions. This method was only used once for the ratification of the 21st Amendment, which repealed Prohibition.
It is important to note that the process is intentionally rigorous and requires broad consensus, ensuring that amendments to the Constitution reflect enduring principles and values shared by the majority of American citizens and state governments.