How does the constitution change?

Question

Im only in the 8th grade sp if u answer please be specific and answer in a way that an 8th grader could understand

Answer 1

From the site listed below there are two ways:

"There are essentially two ways spelled out in the Constitution for how to propose an amendment. One has never been used.

The first method is for a bill to pass both houses of the legislature, by a two-thirds majority in each. Once the bill has passed both houses, it goes on to the states. This is the route taken by all current amendments. Because of some long outstanding amendments, such as the 27th, Congress will normally put a time limit (typically seven years) for the bill to be approved as an amendment (for example, see the 21st and 22nd).

The second method prescribed is for a Constitutional Convention to be called by two-thirds of the legislatures of the States, and for that Convention to propose one or more amendments. These amendments are then sent to the states to be approved by three-fourths of the legislatures or conventions. This route has never been taken, and there is discussion in political science circles about just how such a convention would be convened, and what kind of changes it would bring about.

Regardless of which of the two proposal routes is taken, the amendment must be ratified, or approved, by three-fourths of states. There are two ways to do this, too. The text of the amendment may specify whether the bill must be passed by the state legislatures or by a state convention. See the Ratification Convention Page for a discussion of the make up of a convention. Amendments are sent to the legislatures of the states by default. Only one amendment, the 21st, specified a convention. In any case, passage by the legislature or convention is by simple majority.

The Constitution, then, spells out four paths for an amendment:

Proposal by convention of states, ratification by state conventions (never used)
Proposal by convention of states, ratification by state legislatures (never used)
Proposal by Congress, ratification by state conventions (used once)
Proposal by Congress, ratification by state legislatures (used all other times)

It is interesting to note that at no point does the President have a role in the formal amendment process (though he would be free to make his opinion known). He cannot veto an amendment proposal, nor a ratification."


Aloha

Answer 2

Who Can Change The Constitution

Answer 3

Amending the Constitution

Article V of the Constitution provides two processes by which amendments can be proposed and approved

Congress proposes amendments.

As is the case with the flag burning amendment, both houses of Congress approve by two-thirds votes a resolution calling for the amendment. The resolution does not require the president's signature. To become effective, the proposed amendment must then be "ratified" or approved by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states. Congress typically places a time limit of seven years for ratification by the states.


The states propose amendments.

The legislatures of two-thirds of the states vote to call for a convention at which constitutional amendments can be proposed. Amendments proposed by the convention would again require ratification by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states.
All twenty-seven amendments, including the Bill of Rights have been added through the first method. The Constitution has never been amended using the second process.

While over 10,000 have been proposed, only seventeen amendments to the Constitution have been adopted since final ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791.

Answer 4

The only way that the Constitution of the United States can change is via an amendment. There are twenty-seven amendments to the Constitution so far: the first ten are called the Bill of Rights because they provide for our basic freedoms (religion, speech, fair trial, etc.). The rest of the amendments largely consist of anti-discrimination laws (fair court proceedings for all citizens regardless of race/gender/etc., right to vote granted to all citizens of all races and both genders who are at least eighteen years old, permanent abolition of slavery, etc.).

In order for a new amendment to become part of the Constitution, Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives) must debate over the bill. (A bill is an idea submitted for legislation that has not yet become a law). Members of the House and the Senate are divided up into groups called 'committees', and each committee will debate within the committee and as a part of the whole of Congress. The bill is then put to a vote. If two-thirds of the members of Congress vote in favor of the bill, then the bill goes to the President. It is up to the President whether or not to sign the bill into law. If the President signs the bill ,then it becomes law, but if he/she does not sign the bill, it means that the bill has been vetoed (rejected), and the bill will go back to Congress for another vote. If two-thirds of Congress votes in favor of the bill again, then the bill becomes law through override. The law will remain in place until new legislation counteracts it, the President uses executive order (a privilege reserved for the President him/herself only that is to be used to speed the process of law or ensure national security during emrgencies or wartime), or if the Supreme Court declares the law to be unconstitutional as outlined in the Preamble and the original articles of the Constitution.

Answer 5

The Amendment Process

There are essentially two ways spelled out in the Constitution for how to propose an amendment. One has never been used.

The first method is for a bill to pass both houses of the legislature, by a two-thirds majority in each. Once the bill has passed both houses, it goes on to the states. This is the route taken by all current amendments. Because of some long outstanding amendments, such as the 27th, Congress will normally put a time limit (typically seven years) for the bill to be approved as an amendment (for example, see the 21st and 22nd).

The second method prescribed is for a Constitutional Convention to be called by two-thirds of the legislatures of the States, and for that Convention to propose one or more amendments. These amendments are then sent to the states to be approved by three-fourths of the legislatures or conventions. This route has never been taken, and there is discussion in political science circles about just how such a convention would be convened, and what kind of changes it would bring about.

Regardless of which of the two proposal routes is taken, the amendment must be ratified, or approved, by three-fourths of states. There are two ways to do this, too. The text of the amendment may specify whether the bill must be passed by the state legislatures or by a state convention. See the Ratification Convention Page for a discussion of the make up of a convention. Amendments are sent to the legislatures of the states by default. Only one amendment, the 21st, specified a convention. In any case, passage by the legislature or convention is by simple majority.

The Constitution, then, spells out four paths for an amendment:

Proposal by convention of states, ratification by state conventions (never used)
Proposal by convention of states, ratification by state legislatures (never used)
Proposal by Congress, ratification by state conventions (used once)
Proposal by Congress, ratification by state legislatures (used all other times)
It is interesting to note that at no point does the President have a role in the formal amendment process (though he would be free to make his opinion known). He cannot veto an amendment proposal, nor a ratification. This point is clear in Article 5, and was reaffirmed by the Supreme Court in Hollingsworth v Virginia (3 USC 378 [1798]):

The negative of the President applies only to the ordinary cases of legislation: He has nothing to do with the proposition, or adoption, of amendments to the Constitution.

Answer 6

They add amendments. They are little changes to the Constitution, or revisions.

Answer 7

I'm interested in this

Answer 8

You raise some good points here.

Answer 9

Amendments are added, or nullified.

Answer 10

ammendments