The Amendment Process

Amending the Constitution

Amending the Constitution

The U.S. Constitution was ratified, or approved, in 1787 by all the states. The Constitution was not a perfect document when it was originally created. The creators of the constitution wanted set up a way to amend the document, if it was needed. An amendment is a change. There is a process to change, or amend, the original document. The creators laid out a clear process to add amendments.

Amending the Constitution

The process of changing The Constitution is simple. There are two options to amend The Constitution. The first option requires approval by both sides of the government. The House of Representatives and the Senate must both vote on what is being changed. Two thirds of the members of both the House of Representatives and Senate vote to change The Constitution. The second option is through a Constitutional Convention. A convention is a meeting. The convention must be called by two thirds of the states’ legislatures. After the convention, the states must vote to approve the amendment. Three fourths of the states must vote to pass the amendment. The second option has never been used. 

Amending the Constitution

The U.S. Constitution has evolved and changed some over the history of the country. There were some flaws in the original Constitution. For example, a president could serve as long as he was elected, only white men over 21 could vote, and slavery was not discussed

Amending the Consitution

The Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times since the creation of the document. It is likely that the document will be amended in the future, as well. Technology has changed life in America significantly since the late 1700s. We may need new amendments to regulate artificial intelligence or if Americans colonize and live in new areas, such as space! 

Multiple Choice

There is a process to change or amend the Constitution?

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

How many ways are there to amend or change the Constitution?

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

Multiple Choice

Which is the most common way to amend the Constitution?

• Approval by the House

• Approval by the Senate

• Approval by both the House of Representatives and the Senate

Multiple Choice

What amount of the House of Representatives and Senate must vote to agree before an amendment happens?

• 1/4

• 3/4

• 2/3

Multiple Choice

What amount of state legislatures must vote to pass an amendment?

• 3/4

• 2/3

• 1/2