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Topic 3: The Constitution�Section 3.2: Amendment Process

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Changing with the Times

The Constitution is a Living Document:
The amendment process allows the Constitution to adapt to the changing needs of our nation and society.

The United States has gone from a farming nation of less than 4 million people to a high-tech country with a population of more than 300 million.

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The Amendment Process

[Done for 26 of 27 amendments.]

[Done for the 21^st amendment.]

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Amendment Process

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Amendment Process

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Amendment Process

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Amendment Process

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Federalism

How does the federal amendment process reflect the concept of federalism?

Amendments are proposed at the national level and ratified at the state level by legislatures or conventions.
A state can reject an amendment and later decide to ratify it.

But a state cannot change its mind after it votes to ratify an amendment. (No going back on a YES vote)

The President cannot veto proposed amendments.

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The Bill of Rights�The First 10 Amendments

What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

They spell out many basic rights and liberties.
Many people would not support the Constitution until a Bill of Rights was promised.

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Proposed Amendments

Most suggested amendments are never proposed by Congress.

Congress has sent only 33 of some 15,000 suggested amendments to the states.

Six proposed amendments have not ratified by the states.

Congress can set a “reasonable” time limit for ratification, usually around seven years.

27^th Amendment (Limits Congressional Pay Raises) ratified 202 years after it was proposed as a part of the original Bill of Rights.

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The 27 Amendments

Many of the 27 current amendments were proposed in response to legal disputes, social conflicts, or perceived constitutional problems.

The 12^th Amendment resolved a problem with the presidential election process.
The 13^th Amendment abolished slavery.

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Civil Rights

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Voting Rights

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The 27 Amendments, cont.

1791 - Amendments 1-10

Bill of Rights

1795 - Amendment 11

States immune from certain lawsuits

1804 - Amendment 12

Changes in electoral college �procedures

1865 - Amendment 13

Abolition of Slavery

1868 - Amendment 14

Citizenship, equal protection, and due process

1870 - Amendment 15

No denial of vote because of race, color or previous enslavement

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The 27 Amendments, cont.

1913 - Amendment 16

Congress given the power to tax �incomes

1913 - Amendment 17

Popular election of U.S.
Senators

1919 - Amendment 18

Prohibition of alcohol

1920 - Amendment 19

Women’s suffrage

1933 - Amendment 20

Change of dates for presidential and congressional terms

1933 - Amendment 21

Repeal of prohibition (Amendment 18)

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The 27 Amendments, cont.

1951 - Amendment 22

Limit on presidential terms

1961 - Amendment 23

District of Columbia allowed to vote in presidential elections

1964 - Amendment 24

Ban of tax payment as voter qualification

1967 - Amendment 25

Presidential succession, vice presidential �vacancy, and presidential disability

1971 - Amendment 26

Voting age changed to 18

1992 - Amendment 27

Congressional pay

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Informal Amendments

How have the day-to-day workings of the government affected how we interpret the Constitution?�

Congress passes new laws.
Presidents push to expand executive power.
The Supreme Court makes key rulings on constitutional issues.
Political parties influence the governing process.
Customs develop over time.

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