Amending the Florida and US Constitutions

What does the terms "living document" mean?

• document is on paper

• document can be changed

• document is never changed

• document is old

Which amendment process is described here?

(1) two-thirds (2/3) of the members of each house of Congress can propose an amendment or (2) a convention called by two-thirds (2/3) of the states can be used to propose an amendment. If either of those two options is successful, the proposed amendment is sent to the states for ratification.

• Florida constitutional changes

• state constitutional changes

• US Constitution

• Articles of Confederation

For the U.S. Constitution, an amendment must first be proposed (suggested), and then the states must agree to _________ in order for it to be added to the Constitution.

One key difference in the amendment process between the Florida constitution and the US Constitution is...

• voters must agree to amend the document

• voters have no say in amending process

• elected leaders amend the document

• the United States Congress must ratify

The following is one of the ways to amend the Florida constitution.

"- A set number of registered voters representing 15% of the votes cast in the most recent presidential election may call for a constitutional convention. Amendments may be proposed at the convention."

Which process is described here?

• Constitutional Convention

• Ballot Initiative Process

• Constitutional Revision Commission

• Legislative Joint Resolution

The following is a scenario in which the Florida constitution can be amended.

"A set number of registered voters representing 8% of the votes cast in the most recent presidential election must sign a petition proposing that an amendment be placed on a future Election Day ballot."

Which amendment process is described here?

• Constitutional Revision Commission

• Taxation and Budget Reform Commission

• Constitutional Convention

• Ballot Initiative Process

There are several different ways to amend the Florida constitution.

• True

• False

There are two ways to propose amendments to the United States Constitution.

• True

• False

The following is a constitutional scenario.

"1. Three-quarters (3/4) of the states (at least 38 out of 50) must ratify the amendment by a vote of approval in the state legislature. 2. Three-quarters (3/4) of the states (at least 38 out of 50) must ratify the amendment by a vote of approval at a state ratifying convention."

Which document ratifies amendments in this way?

• the United States Constitution

• the Declaration of Independence

• Articles of Confederation

• Florida State Constitution

The following is a constitutional scenario.

"It is also possible that when an amendment is added to the Constitution, laws that go against that amendment might be found unconstitutional"

Which branch of government would be responsible for this action?

• Executive branch (the president)

• Judicial branch (the Supreme Court)

• Legislative branch (Congress)

• the Florida government