Amending the Constitution
There are two ways to amend the Constitution, formal and informal. The first is the most common, the second rarely used outside of emergency situations. Formal amendment involves written changes to the document, whereas informal is unwritten.
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights, which states the basic freedoms of American citizens.
A few more links:
usconstitution.net
umkc.edu
archives.gov
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights, which states the basic freedoms of American citizens.
A few more links:
usconstitution.net
umkc.edu
archives.gov
Formal Amendment
Article V of the Constitution offers two methods for the proposal and two methods for the ratification of amendments to the constitution, creating four possible methods of formal amendment.
The four methods of formally amending the constitution are as follows:
Step 1: Proposal of the Amendment
- Proposed in Congress (Requires 2/3 acceptance in both Senate and House of Representatives)
- or -
- Proposed at a national convention called by Congress when requested by 2/3 (34) of the State legislatures.
Step 2: Ratification of the Amendment
- Ratified by 3/4 (38) of the State legislatures.
- or -
- Ratified by conventions held in 3/4 (38) of the states.
The four methods of formally amending the constitution are as follows:
Step 1: Proposal of the Amendment
- Proposed in Congress (Requires 2/3 acceptance in both Senate and House of Representatives)
- or -
- Proposed at a national convention called by Congress when requested by 2/3 (34) of the State legislatures.
Step 2: Ratification of the Amendment
- Ratified by 3/4 (38) of the State legislatures.
- or -
- Ratified by conventions held in 3/4 (38) of the states.
Informal Amendment
Informal amendment is the process by which changes have been made to the Constitution without any written changes.
The informal amendment process can take place by:
- the passage of basic legislation by Congress.
- actions taken by the President.
- key decisions of the Supreme Court.
- the activities of political parties.
- custom.
The informal amendment process can take place by:
- the passage of basic legislation by Congress.
- actions taken by the President.
- key decisions of the Supreme Court.
- the activities of political parties.
- custom.