1. Amending the Constitution
Chapter 3 Sections 2 & 3

2. Amendments! US Constitution
Effective 1789 – the US Constitution is the longest active plan of government in the World.
1789 – 13 states and a population of less than 4 million in the US
Present – 50 states and over 300 million citizens.
How has the Constitution endured?
Amendments!

3. Formal Amendment Process
Article V US Constitution – provides the process of amending (altering) the Constitution.
There are two ways that an Amendment can be proposed and two methods for Ratification.

4. Formal Amendment Process
Types of Proposals
Types of Ratification
Proposed by Congress by a 2/3 vote in both Houses
Ratified by State legislatures of ¾ of states
Proposed by a national convention when requested by 2/3 of state legislatures
Ratified by conventions held in ¾ of the States

5. Federalism and Popular Sovereignty
Formal Amendment process reflects Federalism
Amendments reflect the will of the people.

6. Constitutional Change by “Other Means”
Basic Legislation
Executive Decisions
USSC Decisions
Activities of Political Parties
Custom