Changing The Letter Of The Constitution

Question 1

What are the methods of proposing amendments?

Answer 1

1. 2/3 vote of both houses
2. National Constitutional convention at request of 2/3 state legislatures

Question 2

What are the two methods of ratification?

Answer 2

1. 3/4 of the state legislatures
2. Ratifying conventions in 3/4 of the states.

Question 3

What are main constitutional amendment purposes?

Answer 3

• Increase/Decrease power of National Government
• To expand the electorate and it’s power.
• To reduce electorate power
• To limit state government power
• To make structural changes in government

Question 4

What is one way states can help ratify a proposed amendment?

Answer 4

By 2/3 or 3/5 of each chamber.

Question 5

Why is a national constitutional convention an unpopular idea?

Answer 5

Constitutional conventions are somewhat like the first constitutional convention and can result in a complete change of government.

Question 6

What are three ways of informally changing the government?

Answer 6

Congressional Elaboration (gives further meaning to the constitution based on vague constitutional authority)
Presidential practices (how president exercised power of executive branch i.e executive orders, privilege, impoundments)
Judicial interpretation
How a judge can interpret laws (originalist vs. adaptive)

Question 7

What is congressional elaboration?

Answer 7

It gives further meaning to the constitution based on vague constitutional authority.