27 of them
false
The method of ratification is decided by the body that passes the amendment, which historically has been the US Congress (by 2/3 vote of both houses).In all but one case, the approved amendments were ratified by state legislatures.However, the language of the 21st Amendment (1933) specified its passage by state conventions rather than state legislatures. This was particularly chosen to avoid opposition by the same groups that had successfully lobbied for the passage of the 18th Amendment (Prohibition, 1920) which the 21st Amendment repealed.* Should a national constitutional convention (Article V Convention) successfully be called, it too would be empowered to specify the means by which any of its proposed amendments would be ratified.
There are two methods: 1. A specific amendment is written and proposed by 2/3 of the Congress. Then the proposed amendment is sent for ratification to either the state legislatures or state ratifying conventions. Congress decides whether state legislatures or state ratifying conventions are to be used. For the proposed amendment to become effective 3/4 of the legislatures or conventions must ratify it. 2. A convention for proposing amendments is called for by Congress on application by 2/3 of the states for such a convention. Specific amendments are written by the convention and sent to the states for ratification. Even if the proposed amendments come from a convention rather than from Congress, it is Congress which decides whether ratification is to be by state legislatures or state ratifying conventions. Again, for the proposed amendments to become effective, 3/4 of the legislatures or conventions must ratify the proposed amendments. To date the first method, proposal by Congress itself, is the only method by which amendments have been proposed. None of the existing amendments have been proposed by a national convention. To date every amendment to the Constitution with the exception of the Twenty First Amendment (Repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment), has been ratified by state legislatures. The Twenty First Amendment is the only current amendment that has been ratified by state ratifying conventions.
Ratification by state legislatures has been used for all amendments except the 21st. The 21st anemdment was ratified by the state conventions.
Article V in the Constitution spells out the ways how a Constitution can be amendment or changed. All of the 27 amendments have been proposed by two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress, and only the Twenty-first Amendment was ratified by constitutional conventions of the states. All other amendments have been ratified by state legislature.
17 amendments has been added to the constitution blank.
Amendments to the US Constitution are ratified by the states, and by the states alone. The federal government itself does not have a say at all. Amendments don't come along that often, and a lot of people don't realize this. What fewer people realize is that amendments can originate in the states as well; they do not have to be originally offered by the federal government. This method is in the Constitution but has not ever been implemented. If the states initiate an amendment, the federal government only tells the states what method will be used to ratify-- either by state legislatures, or by state conventions gathered for this purpose.
Congress
Congress can propose amendments by a 2/3 vote of members present (in a quorum), and this is the way amendments have so far been presented. The states decide individually on ratification, with a 3/4 vote of state legislatures or state conventions required for adoption. However, Article 5 of the Constitution also allows the states to propose amendments, forming a national convention by the vote of at least 2/3 of the state legislatures of the country. This method has been suggested but never used.
The power to amend the Constitution lies in the people, ultimately. Congress proposes amendments and they are then submitted to state legislature. Three-fourths of the states must ratify it. Citizens vote for state legislature based on their views.
Ratify
National conventions are used to formally nominate a party candidate for president.