Simone Lawson
The ratification of the US Constitution is a fascinating process. The initial purpose of the Convention was to amend the Articles of Confederation, but the outcome was the proposal and creation of a new form of government. The Constitution was signed by 38 out of 41 delegates present, but it was agreed that it would not be binding until its ratification by nine of the 13 existing states. Today, three-quarters of the states in the US are required to ratify an amendment to the Constitution, meaning 38 or more states are required to ratify an amendment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of states required to ratify an amendment to the Constitution | 75% |
| Number of states required to ratify an amendment to the Constitution | 38 or more |
| Number of states required to ratify the original Constitution | 9 out of 13 |
| Number of states that almost immediately voted to approve the Constitution | 5 |
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What You'll Learn
- Three-quarters of the states in the US are required to ratify an amendment to the Constitution
- The first step to a constitutional amendment is the proposal of the amendment
- The second phase in the constitutional amendment process is the ratification of the proposal
- The ratification process started when Congress turned the Constitution over to the state legislatures for consideration
- The Constitution was ratified by nine of the 13 existing states
Three-quarters of the states in the US are required to ratify an amendment to the Constitution
The ratification process started when Congress turned the Constitution over to the state legislatures for consideration through specially elected state conventions of the people. Five state conventions voted to approve the Constitution almost immediately (December 1787 to January 1788), and in all of them, the vote was unanimous or lopsided. The well-organised Federalists rapidly secured five of the nine states needed to make the Constitution law.
The initial purpose of the Convention was for the delegates to amend the Articles of Confederation; however, the ultimate outcome was the proposal and creation of a completely new form of government. On September 17, 1787, the Convention concluded with the signing of the new US Constitution by 38 out of 41 delegates present. Under Article VII, it was agreed that the document would not be binding until its ratification by nine of the 13 existing states.
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The first step to a constitutional amendment is the proposal of the amendment
Five state conventions voted to approve the Constitution almost immediately (December 1787 to January 1788) and in all of them the vote was unanimous (Delaware, New Jersey, Georgia) or lopsided (Pennsylvania, Connecticut). This meant that the well-organised Federalists rapidly secured five of the nine states needed to make the Constitution law.
Three-quarters of the states in the United States are required to ratify an amendment to the United States Constitution. Therefore, out of 50 states, 38 states or more are required. All the rules, regulations, and the process followed when making any alteration to the constitution is highlighted in Article Five of the United States Constitution.
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The second phase in the constitutional amendment process is the ratification of the proposal
The Constitution required nine of the 13 existing states to ratify it. This was achieved by five state conventions who voted to approve the Constitution almost immediately (December 1787 to January 1788). The vote was unanimous in Delaware, New Jersey and Georgia, and lopsided in Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Today, three-quarters of the states in the United States are required to ratify an amendment to the Constitution. This means that 38 out of 50 states are required.
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The ratification process started when Congress turned the Constitution over to the state legislatures for consideration
Under Article VII, it was agreed that the document would not be binding until its ratification by nine of the 13 existing states. Three-quarters of the states in the United States are required to ratify an amendment to the United States Constitution. Therefore, out of 50 states, 38 states or more are required.
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The Constitution was ratified by nine of the 13 existing states
Five state conventions voted to approve the Constitution almost immediately, between December 1787 and January 1788. In all of them, the vote was either unanimous or lopsided. The Federalists rapidly secured five of the nine states needed to make the Constitution law.
The Constitution seemed to have easy, broad, and popular support. However, a closer look at who ratified the Constitution in these early states and how it was done indicates that the contest was much closer than might appear at first glance.
Today, three-quarters of the states in the United States are required to ratify an amendment to the Constitution. Therefore, out of 50 states, 38 states or more are required.
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Frequently asked questions
38 states or more, which is three-quarters of the 50 states.
There were 13 states.
Nine states were required to ratify the Constitution when it was first created.
There were 13 states.
There were 13 states.
