Chapter 3: The Constitution Section 2: Formal Amendment

Amendment Process Amendment = A change in the written words of the Constitution. Formal Amendment = Changes or additions that become part of the written language of the Constitution itself.

Types of Proposals for Amendments 1. 2/3 vote in each house of Congress & ¾ vote in the state legislatures (38 states) (26 of 27 amendments). 2. Proposed by Congress & ratified by state conventions ( 1 amendment) 3. Proposed by a national convention which is called for by Congress at the request of the state legislatures (has never happened) 4. Amendment is proposed by a national convention and ratified by conventions in ¾ of the states (only the Constitution itself was done this way)

Federalism & Popular Sovereignty Formal amendment process emphasizes federal character. Proposal takes place at federal level and ratification takes place at state level.

Proposed Amendments Since 1789 there have been 12,000 joint resolutions calling for amendments that have been proposed in Congress. Only 33 of them have been sent to the states. Only 27 have been ratified.

Bill of Rights First 10 amendments Added by the 1st session of the 1st Continental Congress in 1789. Ratified in 1791 Each arose due to a problem with the Constitution itself Set out the Constitutional guarantees of freedom of belief & expression, of freedom & security of the person, & fair & equal treatment before the law.