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)
0 / 80 Word Limit
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Step 1:
Option 1: Proposal by Congress - Two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate must vote in favor of the proposed amendment.
Option 2: Proposal by Convention - Two-thirds of the state legislatures can request Congress to call a convention to propose amendments.
Step 2:
Option 1: Ratification by State Legislatures - Three-fourths of the state legislatures must approve the proposed amendment.
Option 2: Ratification by Conventions - Three-fourths of special state conventions can be called to approve the proposed amendment instead of state legislatures.
Step 1:
Option 1: The amendment can be proposed by a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Option 2: The amendment can be proposed by a national convention called by Congress when requested by two-thirds of the state legislatures.
Step 2:
Option 1: The proposed amendment can be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures.
Option 2: The proposed amendment can be ratified by three-fourths of special state conventions called by the state legislatures.
Step 1:
Option 1: Proposal by Congress - The first option is for an amendment to be proposed by a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Option 2: Proposal by a Constitutional Convention called by the states - States can also propose an amendment by calling for a Constitutional Convention, which requires approval from at least two-thirds of the state legislatures.
Step 2:
Option 1: Ratification by state legislatures - Once an amendment is proposed, it can be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures. This means that at least 38 out of the 50 states must approve the amendment.
Option 2: Ratification by state conventions - Alternatively, the amendment can be ratified by three-fourths of the state conventions. This method has only been used once in the past, for the 21st Amendment which repealed prohibition.
It's important to note that any proposed amendment must follow one of these methods in order to become a part of the Constitution. Additionally, the Supreme Court plays a role in interpreting the Constitution and determining the constitutionality of any amendments.