The process for amending the Constitution i
The process for amending the Constitution in the United States is outlined in Article V of the Constitution. It provides two methods for proposing amendments and two methods for ratifying them.
1. Proposal stage:
a. Two-thirds (2/3) vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives: The most common method used to propose amendments is through a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Any member of Congress can propose an amendment, and if it receives the required two-thirds support in both chambers, it proceeds to the ratification stage.
b. Constitutional Convention called by two-thirds (2/3) of the states' legislatures: Alternatively, amendments can be proposed by a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of the state legislatures. This method has never been used.
2. Ratification stage:
a. Three-fourths (3/4) of state legislatures: After an amendment is proposed, it must be ratified by three-fourths (38) of the state legislatures. Once the amendment is approved by three-fourths of the states, it becomes part of the Constitution.
b. Ratifying conventions in three-fourths (3/4) of the states: Instead of state legislatures, ratification can also be done through special ratifying conventions held in three-fourths of the states. This method has only been used once, for the ratification of the 21st Amendment that repealed Prohibition.
The amendment process is intentionally rigorous to ensure that amendments have widespread support and are not easily enacted. This has resulted in only 27 amendments being added to the Constitution since its ratification in 1788.