2. –1. 2/3 vote in each house of Congress
and then ratified (approved) by ¾ of
state legislatures
•26/27 Amendments were adopted
this way
3. • 2. Amendment proposed by Congress
and then ratified by conventions called
by states—once again ¾ of states have to
ratify the amendment for amendment to
pass
•Only 21st
Amendment in 1933 was
ratified this way
4. • 3. Amendment proposed by national
convention—called by Congress at
request of States, once again ¾ of states
have to ratify the amendment
•This way has never been used!!
5. • 4. Amendment proposed by national
convention and then ratified by
conventions in ¾ of states
–This method has never been used
either!!
6. Informal Amendment Process
• …how to change the Constitution
without changing the wording
Amendments are never sent to President
because amendment are technically not
laws
Once State approves amendment, it
cannot change its position—if they turn
it down, they approve it later
7. • 1. Basic Legislature—Congress
makes laws to “beef up” what is
written in Constitution
•Example—Federal Judiciary System,
the constitution only allows for a
Supreme Court, Congress has
establish the inferior courts
8. • 2. Executive Action—President uses his
power granted by the Constitution
–Example—The Constitution says only
Congress can declare war but a
president can send in combat troops
for up to 90 days, after that Congress
must approve for troops to stay, use
over 100 times in our history.
9. • 3. Court Decisions—decide
whether laws or acts are
constitutional, thus changing the
meaning of the Constitution
–Example: Marbury v. Madison,
establish Judicial Review
10. • 4. Party Practices:
–Political Parties are never
mentioned in the Constitution
but we have a two party
system.
–That makes laws, Amendments
etc.
11. • 5. Custom—the way things have been
done, therefore they continue to be
done in that same manner
–Example: Not written in the Constitution
but apart of our government
• Cabinet
• Presidential succession after the VP until the 25th
Amendment
• Two terms Presidencies until the 22th Amendment
