Formal Amendments
The Big Idea
The Framers of the Constitution prepared for
changing times by providing for the
document’s formal amendment.
The Amendment Process
• By being part of the Constitution (the Supreme Law of
the Land)
• Amendments → have more power than average laws
• There are 4 methods of getting an amendment passed
• Amendments proposed on a National level still has to
be approved by the States
1st Method
• ⅔ vote in both
houses of Congress
• Ratified by ¾ of the
states
• 38 states
• 26 amendments
have been ratified
this way
2nd Method
• Amendment
proposed by
Congress
• Ratified by
conventions in ¾
of the States
• 21st Amendment
was ratified this
way
3rd Method
• The amendment
is proposed by a
national
convention
• the convention is
called by
Congress at the
request of ⅔ of
the state
4th Method
• An Amendment is
proposed by a
National
Convention
• Ratified by ¾ of
the states
• This is how the
Constitution was
created
Also
• Article V of the Constitution
• “No state without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal
suffrage in the Senate”
• This means → every state has to be given 2 senators NO
MATTER WHAT
• If a state rejects an Amendment it may later reconsider and
ratify it
• but not the other way around
Amendments 1-10
Bill of Rights
we have already learned this :)
Amendment 11
Amendment 12
Immunity of States from certain
lawsuits
Changes in electoral college
procedures
Amendment 13
Amendment 14
Abolition of Slavery
Citizenship, due process, equal
protection
Amendment 15
Amendment 16
No denial of vote because of
race, color or previous
enslavement
Power of Congress to tax
incomes
Amendment 17
Popular election of US
Senators
Amendment 18
Prohibition of Alcohol
Amendment 19
Amendment 20
Woman Suffrage
Change of dates for start of
presidential and Congressional
terms
Amendment 21
Repeal of Prohibition
Amendment 22
Limit on presidential terms
Amendment 23
Amendment 24
District of Columbia vote in
presidential elections
Ban of Tax Payment as voter
qualification
Amendment 25
Presidential succession, vice
presidential vacancy, and
presidential disability
Amendment 26
Voting age of 18
Amendment 27
Congressional pay