Amending the Constitution

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

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

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.

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.

Custom and Usage Example: Political parties