1. Amending the Constitution

2. The Formal Amendment Process
The process is in Article V of the Constitution
Can be proposed in two ways
Can be ratified (approved) in two ways
Proposed at a national level, ratified at the state level

3. Proposing Amendments Two-Thirds Vote in each house of Congress
This is the only method that has been used, so far, to amend the Constitution
National Convention called by congress at the request of two-thirds of the states
Petitions come from the state legislatures
In states petitioned Congress – one short
If a convention is called they do not have to limit it to a specific amendment and can become completely uncontrollable

4. Ratifying Amendments Three-Fourths
State Legislatures
The legislatures of the states vote individually to ratify the amendment
Conventions at the state level
States hold conventions to ratify or reject an amendment
This method has only been used once – The 21st Amendment
Congress gets to set the rules as to which method will be used and how much time states will be given

5. Changes through practice
Informal Amendment
Changes through law
Congress has passed laws that enlarge or clarify Constitutional provisions, i.e. tax law
Changes through practice
With many parts of the Constitution being vague, how the document is interpreted and put into practice changes the meaning, i.e. Impeachment

6. Informal Amendment Presidential Action Presidential Succession
Foreign Affairs
Modern presidents conduct much of their foreign diplomacy outside of the Treaty process
The only foreign powers that the Constitution gives the POTUS is through Treaty
Domestic Affairs
The Constitution does very little to outline how the POTUS is involved with domestic affairs
Presidents now have a much greater role in American politics than the founders envisioned

7. Informal Amendment Court Decisions Judicial Review
The practice of determining if a law or action is constitutional
Not a role defined by the Constitution
Used extensively to limit the powers of both the Legislative and Executive branches
Changing Court Rulings
The Supreme Court’s role is to interpret the meaning of the Constitution through case rulings
The court can, at times, overrule a previous ruling, changing the meaning of the Constitution

8. Pop Quiz Study Guide All 27 Amendments Formal Amendment Process
Be able to explain at least 15 of them
Formal Amendment Process
Be able to explain at least one method of proposal
Be able to explain at least one method of ratification
Informal Amendment
Explain how at least one process works to change the meaning of the Constitution