Article V: The Amendment Process.

What is Article V about?

How the Constitution can be amended.

What is an amendment?

A formal change or addition to the Constitution.

How many methods are there to propose an amendment?

Two.

What is the first way to propose an amendment?

Two-thirds of both houses of Congress must agree.

What fraction of Congress must agree to propose an amendment?

Two-thirds of both houses.

How many ratified amendments have been proposed by Congress?

All 27.

What is the second way to propose an amendment?

Two-thirds of state legislatures call for a constitutional convention.

How many states must call for a constitutional convention?

34 states.

Has the constitutional convention method been used to propose a ratified amendment?

No.

How many methods are there to ratify an amendment?

Two.

What is the first method of ratification?

Three-fourths of state legislatures approve.

How many times has state legislature ratification been used?

26 times.

What is the second method of ratification?

Three-fourths of special state conventions approve.

How many times has special state convention ratification been used?

Once, for the 21st Amendment.

How many states must approve an amendment today?

38 out of 50 states.

Who decides which ratification method is used?

Congress.

How many amendments are in the Constitution?

27.

What is the difference between proposing and ratifying?

Proposing means suggesting an amendment; ratifying means officially approving it.

Why is the amendment process difficult?

It requires large majorities, preventing frequent or easy changes.