U.S. and Texas Amendment Processes

Amending the U.S. Constitution - Article 5

Notes:

• Congress selects the mode of ratification.
• Equal representation in the Senate is not subject to amendment.

Amending the Texas Constitution - Article 17

Notes:

• One hundred house members and twenty-one senators constitute a two-thirds majority.
• Individual legislators' votes must be publicly recorded.
• The Legislature picks the date for the ratification election.
• A brief explanatory statement of each proposed amendment drafted by the Secretary of State and approved by the Attorney General must be widely published before the election.

Source: Article 5 of the U.S. Constitution outlines amendment procedures. The U.S. Constitution is available from the National Archives and Records Administration online at http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/charters/ constitution.html accessed March 31, 2005.

Article 17 of the Texas Constitution outlines amendment procedures. The full Constitution of the State of Texas is available from the Texas Legislature Online at http://www.constitution.legis.state.tx.us accessed March 31, 2005.