1. Amending the Constitution

2. Article V The Founding Fathers established a method to make changes.

4. Informal Changes Changes through law –Example: The expansion of the bureaucracy Changes through practices –Example: “High Crimes and Misdemeanors”

5. Informal Presidential Changes Example: William Henry Harrison was first President to die in office. Did VP John Tyler become the “real” President, or was he just an “acting” President? Example: Use of “executive agreements” instead of treaties.

6. Court Decisions The Supreme Court “interprets” what the Constitution means. The only way to change the outcome of a court ruling is to change the Constitution.

7. Custom and Usage Example: Political parties