Judicial Branch and the Legislative Branch
There are two ways to propose and ratify amendments to the Constitution. To propose amendments two thirds of both houses of congress can vote to propose an amendment, and two thirds of the state legislatures can ask congress to call a national convention to propose amendments.
States Needed to Ask for a ConventionThree-fourths of the states are needed in order to ask for a convention to propose new amendments.
two thirds
The two groups that have the power to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution are: The U.S. Congress The StatesThe U.S. Congress has the power to propose an amendment when two-thirds of both the Senate and the House of Representatives vote in favor of the amendment. The States also have the power to propose an amendment if two-thirds of the state legislatures vote in favor of the amendment. In either case any amendments proposed have to be ratified by three-fourths of the states in order to become part of the Constitution.
To propose an amendment: 1. Two-thirds of both houses of Congress vote to propose an amendment, or 2. Two-thirds of the state legislatures ask Congress to call a national convention to propose amendments.
There are two specified mechanisms whereby an amendment to the U.S. Constitution can be proposed. The States can convene a constitutional convention or both houses of Congress can pass an amendment by supermajority and send it to the State legislatures for ratification.
To propose an amendment to the constitution, two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate must approve the amendment. Alternatively, a national convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures can also propose amendments.
Whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments.
17 amendments has been added to the constitution blank.
In Washington State, amendments to the state constitution can be proposed through two primary methods: legislative referral and initiative. The legislature can propose amendments by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses, which are then put to a public vote. Alternatively, citizens can propose amendments through an initiative process, requiring a certain number of signatures from registered voters to qualify for the ballot. Both methods ultimately require voter approval for the amendments to be enacted.
In Texas, the power to propose amendments to the state constitution lies primarily with the Texas Legislature. Specifically, a two-thirds majority vote in both the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate is required to propose an amendment. Once proposed, the amendment must then be approved by a majority of voters in a statewide election to be enacted.
article 5 says that congress may propose amendments by 2/3 vote in each house, or by a national convention of delegates from each state.