1. THE US CONSTITUTION A Formal Amendment

2. US Constitution Written in 1787 We now have the longest lasting Constitution of any nation Our constitution has been changing over the years Two ways for constitutional change Formal Informal

3. Formal Amendment Process Article V of the Constitution Founding fathers knew things would change Need a government that can change Explains the four methods for a Formal Amendment to take place

4. First Method Amendment proposed by 2/3 vote in Congress Ratified by ¾ of the State legislatures (38 States) 26 of our 27 Amendments created this way

5. Second Method Amendment proposed by Congress Ratified by Conventions, called for that purpose, in ¾ of States 21 st Amendment created this way Why? Felt popular elected delegates would be more likely to reflect public opinion

6. Third Method Amendment proposed by a national convention Called by Congress at request of 2/3 of State legislatures (34) Then ratified by ¾ of State legislatures Congress has never called such a convention

7. Fourth Method Amendment proposed by a national convention Ratified by conventions in ¾ of States Constitution itself was adopted in this same way

9. Federalism and Popular Sovereignty Formal Amendment Process Emphasizes federal character of government Proposals start nationally Ratified by individual states Critics State Legislators are never elected based on their stance to an amendment Delegates for a ratifying convention are elected solely for their stance on an amendment

10. Proposed Amendments States may reject Amendments When they do so they may recant and vote in favor of it When a State votes in favor it cannot change its vote Over 10,000 Amendments proposed since 1789 33 sent to States, and 27 ratified Time limits Congress can impose a reasonable time limit for ratification After which the Amendment dies

11. Failed Amendments 1789 Distribution of Seats in the House 1810 voided citizenship of anyone accepting any foreign title or other honor 1861 Prohibit any amendment relating to slavery 1924 empower Congress to fight child labor 1972 Equal rights of women (died in 1982) 1978 Give seats to District of Columbia (died 85)

12. AmendmentSubjectYearTime Required for Ratification 1 st -10 th Bill of Rights17912 years, 2 months, 20 days 11 th Immunity of States from certain lawsuits179511 months, 3 days 12 th Changes in electoral college procedure18046 months, 6 days 13 th Abolish Slavery186510 months, 6 days 14 th Citizenship, due process, equal protection18682 years, 26 days 15 th No denial of vote because of race, color, or previous enslavement 187011 months, 8 days 16 th Power of Congress to tax incomes19133 years, 6 months, 22 days 17 th Popular election of US Senators191310 months, 26 days 18 th Prohibition of alcohol19191 year, 29 days 19 th Woman suffrage19201 year, 2 months, 14 days 20 th Change of dates for start of presidential and Congressional terms 193310 months, 21 days 21 st Repeal of Prohibition19339 months, 15 days 22 nd Limit on Presidential terms19513 years, 11 months, 6 days 23 rd District of Columbia vote in presidential elections19619 months, 13 days 24 th Ban on tax payment as voter qualification19649 months, 3 days 25 th Presidential succession, vice presidential vacancy, and presidential disability 19671 year, 7 months, 4 days 26 th Voting age 1819713 months, 8 days 27 th Congressional pay1992202 years, 7 months, 12 days