Questions about Constitutionmal amendments

[Michigander4Dean]

We’re studying the Constitution in my poli-sci course in college, and I was thinking about anendments. It got me wondering how an amendment could be ratified, besides 2/3 of Congress proposing it and 3/4 of the states ratifying it. I have some questions about constitutional amendments. More of a curiosity thing than anything else.

1. How can the states call a Constitutional Convention?

I know 2/3 of the states (34) can “apply” to call a Constitutional Convention. It’s never happened, but do any “experts” here know how that would work? How would a state like, say, Michigan, “apply” to call a convention?

2. How does a state ratify an amendment “in convention?”

Do the people vote on it? Do they elect delegates to a convention, which then discusses the amendment and then approves or rejects it?

3. How is it determined that they will ratify it in convention, instead of by the Legislature?

[WoodrowFan]

1. the 21st was passed by State Conventions

It over-turned Prohibition. Its supporters were afraid a few prohibitionists in a few state legislatures would block it despite the will of the majority (picture the ERA battle in the 1970s) so individual state conventions were held. In many states the delegates were chosen by popular election, so the supports of the amendment could vote for a slate of representatives vowing to vote for the amendment. Each state group then met separately and voted to ratify the amendment.

Here's a link to a site with details..

http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_acon.html

[Padraig18]

2. Some answers

"1. How can the states call a Constitutional Convention?

I know 2/3 of the states (34) can “apply” to call a Constitutional Convention. It’s never happened, but do any “experts” here know how that would work? How would a state like, say, Michigan, “apply” to call a convention?

2. How does a state ratify an amendment “in convention?”

Do the people vote on it? Do they elect delegates to a convention, which then discusses the amendment and then approves or rejects it?

3. How is it determined that they will ratify it in convention, instead of by the Legislature?"

1.) They adopt identical resolutions, which are then foprwarded to Congress;

2.)see post above;

3.)see post above.