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One method of proposing an amendment is by a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate.

Second method of proposing an amendment is for two-thirds of the states to ask Congress to call a meeting and then vote.

All of the current amendments were proposed using the congressional vote method.

When an amendment is proposed, Congress chooses one of two methods for obtaining state approval.

The legislatures in three-fourths of the states can ratify the amendment.

The other method is for the states to hold special meetings and then have three-fourths of the meetings approve it.

Amending the Constitution is an extremely complicated process; an amendment is adopted only when there is a broad national consensus on the issue.

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States the freedom of speech, press, religion, and freedom to assemble.

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States the freedom to bare arms to ensure the right to security.

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Prevents the government from forcing people to provide shelter for soldiers in their homes.

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limits the government’s power to conduct searches and seizures by protecting the right to privacy

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contains four important protections for people accused of crimes

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gives an accused person several important rights, including the right to a speedy, public trial by an impartial jury.

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right to a jury trial in federal courts to settle all disputes about property worth more than $20

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prohibits excessive bail or property that the accused deposits with the court to gain release from jail until the trial.

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states that all other rights not spelled out in the Constitution are “retained by the people.”

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states that powers not given to the federal government were retained by the states or the people.

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The Twelfth Amendment - calls for the Electoral College to use separate ballots in voting for president and vice president.

The Seventeenth Amendment- says that the people elect United States senators directly.

The Twentieth Amendment- sets new dates for when the president and vice president are inaugurated.

The Twenty-second Amendment- limits presidents to a maximum of two elected terms.

The Twenty-fifth Amendment-establishes a process for the vice president to take over the office of president if the president is disabled.

The Twenty-seventh Amendment- makes congressional pay raises effective during the term following their passage.

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The Sixteenth Amendment gives Congress the power to levy individual income taxes.

The Eighteenth Amendment prohibited the manufacture, sale, or transportation of alcoholic beverages.

The Twenty-first Amendment repeals the Eighteenth Amendment.

The Twenty-first Amendment continued to ban the transport of alcohol into any state where its possession violated state law.

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The Thirteenth Amendment  outlaws slavery.

The Fourteenth Amendment  prohibits a state from depriving a person of life, liberty, or property without “due process of law.”

The Fifteenth Amendment prohibits the government from denying a person’s right to vote on the basis of race.

The Nineteenth Amendment  guarantees women the right to vote.

The Twenty-fourth Amendment  prohibits poll taxes in federal elections.

The Twenty-sixth Amendment lowers the voting age in federal and state elections to 18.

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The Three Branches in State and Local Government

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The Three Branches in State and Local Government

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Every state constitution outlines the separation of powers among three branches of government, as well as checks and balances.

State constitutions outline the organization of each branch.

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State legislatures pass laws surrounding health, crime, labor, education, and transportation.

They have the power to tax and to spend and borrow money.

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Every state has an executive branch lead by a governor.

The governor’s responsibilities include proposing and signing legislation, budgeting, appointing officials, planning for economic growth, etc.

Governors often try to obtain grants from the national government for their state’s schools, highways, and urban areas.

All state constitutions give governors the role of commander-in-chief over the state’s National Guard.

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State constitutions establish courts to uphold and interpret state laws.

Those courts help resolve state conflicts such as business disagreements and law breakers.

Every state has minor courts, trial courts, and appellate courts.

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Many states allow people to propose amendments directly through ballot initiatives.

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Amendments Starting in State Legislatures

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Amendments Starting in State Legislatures

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All states allow their state legislature to propose constitutional amendments.

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Most states can hold a statewide constitutional convention.

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a group of experts who are appointed to study the state constitution and recommend changes.

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Charters are documents that state governments issue to local governments.

grants the community a legal status and allows it to have a separate local government.

establish three branches of local government along with the powers and duties of each branch.