1. Amending the Constitution: Why Change?

2. The Constitution and the Amendment Process

3. Methods of Proposal

4. Method 1 By 2/3 vote in both the House and the Senate [most common method of proposing an amendment]

5. Methods of Proposal Method 2 By national constitutional convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the state legislatures [This method has never been used] Method 1 By 2/3 vote in both the House and the Senate [most common method of proposing an amendment] Or

6. Methods of Ratification

7. Method 1 By legislatures in ¾ of the states [in all but one case, this is how amendments have been ratified]

8. Methods of Ratification Method 2 Ratified through conventions in ¾ of the states. [Only been used once to ratify the 21 st Amendment] Method 1 By legislatures in ¾ of the states [in all but one case, this is how amendments have been ratified] Or

9. Amendment Process Methods of Proposal Method 1 By 2/3 vote in both the House and the Senate Or Method 2 By national constitutional convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the state legislatures Methods of Ratification Method 1 By legislatures in ¾ of the states Or Method 2 Ratified through conventions in ¾ of the states.

10. Suggested Amendment Topics Flag burning Allow non-natural born citizens to become President Official language(s) of U.S. Definition of marriage Prayer in school Balanced budget Electoral College Terms limits on U.S. Senators & Representatives Access to medical care for all citizens Death penalty

11. Political Cartoon #1 Political Cartoon #1 Title: Flag Burning Amendment Gary Markstein, Wisconsin, The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, July 18, 2005, http://www.politicalcartoons.com

12. Political Cartoon #2 Political Cartoon #2 Title: Flag Burning Steve Breen, The San Diego Union-Tribune, July 25, 2005 http://www.politicalcartoons.com

13. Political Cartoon #3 Political Cartoon #3 Title: Gay Marriage Amendment Mike Lane, Cagle Cartoons. Feb. 26, 2004 http://www.politicalcartoons.com