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:
(4 points)
Make it 2-3 sentences
Step 1:
Option 1: The first choice available in the constitutional amendment process is for Congress to propose an amendment. This requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Option 2: The second choice in Step 1 is for a constitutional convention to be called by two-thirds of the state legislatures. This has never been used to propose a constitutional amendment.
Step 2:
Option 1: The first option in Step 2 is for the proposed constitutional amendment to be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures. This is the most common method used to ratify amendments.
Option 2: The second option is for the proposed amendment to be ratified by conventions in three-fourths of the states. This method has only been used once in the ratification of the 21st Amendment, which repealed Prohibition.
Step 1:
Option 1: The constitutional amendment process can be initiated by Congress. A proposed amendment needs to be approved by a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Option 2: The constitutional amendment process can also be initiated by the states. Two-thirds of state legislatures can call for a convention to propose amendments.
Step 2:
Option 1: Once the proposed amendment is approved, it needs to be ratified by three-fourths of the states. This can be done either through approval by the state legislatures or through state conventions.
Option 2: The proposed amendment can also be ratified by three-fourths of the states through a convention. This method has not been used before to ratify an amendment.
Step 1:
Option 1: The process can be initiated by a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Option 2: Alternatively, it can also be initiated by a constitutional convention requested by two-thirds of the state legislatures.
Step 2:
Option 1: Once the amendment is proposed, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures.
Option 2: Alternatively, it can be ratified by three-fourths of special state conventions called for the purpose of considering the amendment.