The Amendment Process: Proposing and Ratifying Amendments

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What are the two required steps in the formal process to amend the Constitution?

Step 1: Proposal. Step 2: Ratification.

What is the most common method for proposing a new amendment?

An amendment is proposed by a \(\frac{2}{3}\) vote in both houses of Congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate).

How many of the 27 amendments have been proposed using the congressional vote method?

All 27 of them.

What is the second, alternative method for proposing an amendment, which has never been used?

A national convention called for by the legislatures of \(\frac{2}{3}\) of the states (currently 34 states).

After an amendment is successfully proposed, what is the most common method for ratifying it?

Ratification by the state legislatures in \(\frac{3}{4}\) of the states.

How many states are required to ratify an amendment today?

Ratification requires approval from 38 states (which is \(\frac{3}{4}\) of the 50 states).

What is the alternative method for ratifying an amendment?

Ratification by special conventions held in \(\frac{3}{4}\) of the states.

Which amendment is the only one to have been ratified by state conventions rather than state legislatures?

The 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th Amendment (Prohibition).

What is the President's formal role in the constitutional amendment process?

The President has no formal role. A proposed amendment does not go to the President for a signature or veto.