INFORMAL AND FORMAL AMENDING

INFORMAL AMENDING

• Sometimes the Constitution can be changed and added to without a nationwide vote

Congressional Legislation

• Congress passes laws, under its given powers.

• Such as the Commerce Clause

• Regulation of interstate and foreign commerce.

Presidential Actions

• Introduces Bills

• Sends troops to war, without declaring war

• Executive agreements- with other heads of state, which are legally binding

Judicial Review

• Interpretation of the Constitution to match the times

• Technology

• Transportation etc.

Political Parties

• Not mentioned in the Constitution but profoundly effect the outcome and interpretation of it.

Custom and Usage

• Custom:

• Cabinet members and approval

• Usage:

• Vice president inherits in death

FORMAL AMENDING• Proposing Amendments• 2/3 vote in the Senate and the House• All 27 proposed this way• 2/3 of state legislatures request a

national convention, with a simple majority.

• Never used

Ratifying Amendments

• 3/4 of State Legislatures can vote in favor

• Traditional ratification method 26, amendments ratified this way

• 3/4 of states can call special conventions to ratify.