Changes to the U.S. Constitution, also known as amendments, can be made through a specific process outlined in Article V of the Constitution. There are two primary methods for proposing and ratifying amendments:
Proposal:
a. Two-thirds (⅔) majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
OR
b. A national convention called by Congress at the request of two-thirds (⅔) of the state legislatures.
Ratification:
a. Three-fourths (¾) of the state legislatures approve the amendment.
OR
b. Ratifying conventions in three-fourths (¾) of the states approve the amendment.
The process for amending the Constitution requires broad consensus and participation from both the federal government and the states. The Founding Fathers intentionally designed this process to be deliberate and difficult, ensuring that amendments reflect the will of a significant majority and protect against hasty or ill-considered changes.
Since the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1788, there have been 27 amendments, illustrating the relatively infrequent nature of constitutional amendments. The amendment process serves as a safeguard to preserve the core principles while allowing for necessary changes that reflect societal progress and evolving needs.