The Constitutional Amendment Process

The process of amending the Constitution is divided into two distinct jurisdictional levels:
- The National Level: Responsible for the proposal of amendments.
- The State Level: Responsible for the ratification of amendments.

Proposal Option A:
- Passage in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- Requires a $\frac{2}{3}$ vote in each respective body.
Proposal Option B*:
- Passage in a national convention called by Congress.
- Requires petitions from $\frac{2}{3}$ of the states (equivalent to $34$ states) to prompt Congress to call the national convention.

Ratification Option C**:
- Acceptance by a majority vote in the legislatures of $\frac{3}{4}$ of the states (equivalent to $38$ states).
Ratification Option D**:
- Acceptance by conventions called specifically for the purpose in $\frac{3}{4}$ of the states (equivalent to $38$ states).

Method 1:
- Proposal: Passage in the House and Senate, each by a $\frac{2}{3}$ vote (Proposal A).
- Ratification: Acceptance by majority vote in the legislatures of $\frac{3}{4}$ of the states ( $38$ states) (Ratification C**).
Method 2:
- Proposal: Passage in the House and Senate, each by a $\frac{2}{3}$ vote (Proposal A).
- Ratification: Acceptance by conventions called for the purpose in $\frac{3}{4}$ of the states ( $38$ states) (Ratification D**).
Method 3:
- Proposal: Passage in a national convention called by Congress in response to petitions by $\frac{2}{3}$ of the states ( $34$ states) (Proposal B*).
- Ratification: Acceptance by majority vote in the legislatures of $\frac{3}{4}$ of the states ( $38$ states) (Ratification C**).
Method 4:
- Proposal: Passage in a national convention called by Congress in response to petitions by $\frac{2}{3}$ of the states ( $34$ states) (Proposal B*).
- Ratification: Acceptance by conventions called for the purpose in $\frac{3}{4}$ of the states ( $38$ states) (Ratification D**).