THE CONSTITUTION

How The Constitution Is Set Up

• The Constitution is divided into:– Articles– Sections– Clauses– Amendments

Article 1: Legislative Branch

Article 2: Executive Branch

Article 3: The Judicial Branch

Article 4: Relations Among States

Article 5: Provisions For Amendments

Article 6: Public Debts, Supremacy of National Law, Oath of Office

Article 7: Ratification

Amending the Constitution

• There Are 2 Ways To Perceive Amendments To The Constitution– Formal– Informal

There is only one Amendment that cannot be made.

No Amendment Can Deprive A State of Equal Representation in the Senate.

Formal Amendments

• Formal means to add written words to the constitution.– Method 1: 2/3rds vote in each House and Ratified by 3/4ths

of State Legislatures (38 States). 26 of 27 have been made this way.

– Method 2: Proposed by Congress and Ratified by 3/4ths state conventions. 21st Amendment was done this way.

– Method 3: Proposed by National Convention called by congress at 2/3rds States request and ratified by 3/4ths of the State Legislatures.

– Method 4: Proposed and ratified by national convention in 3/4ths of the states.

Informal Amendments

• Informal Amendments – Changes in the constitution that does not involve any changes in the written words.– Passage of basic legislation by congress– Actions taken by the President – Executive Agreements– Decisions by the Supreme Court – Marbury vs.

Madison– Activities of Political Parties – Nomination of President

by Convention– Customs – Vice- President becomes President