How Amendments Are Added

The process of adding amendments to the Constitution is outlined in Article V. To propose an amendment, either two-thirds of both houses of Congress must agree or a national convention can be called by two-thirds of state legislatures.

Once proposed, an amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states to become part of the Constitution. This careful process ensures that changes can be made to the Constitution, but only with broad support from both federal and state governments.