The Process
The process starts when a congressperson or state legislator proposes an amendment. A citizen cannot start the process, but they can petition their elected officials to propose an amendment.
WE ARE THE CATALYST TO START THIS PROCESS!
After an amendment is proposed either Congress or the States can take the next step.
WE MUST PUSH ALL OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES TO MAKE THIS AMENDMENT PART OF OUR CONSTITUTION!
Congress Chooses to Act
The proposed amendment must first be accepted, by a two-thirds majority in both chambers, before moving onto the next step.
Next step - Ratification by the states. Congress directs the states to use option one or two.
Option one: Directs governors to send it to the state legislature for consideration.
Option two: Direct the governors to convene a state ratifying convention.
Congress usually selects the first option.
When an amendment is ratified (approved) by three-fourths (currently 38) of the state legislatures or ratifying conventions, it is part of the Constitution.
The final step is left to the National Archives to collect paperwork provided by each state, properly record the process, and make it known that an amendment has been added to our Constitution.
The Executive Branch has no part of the amendment process.
When States Act
Although this action has never been taken if two-thirds of the state legislatures, 34 states, vote for a new amendment, Congress is required to convene a full constitutional convention.
The Ratification Process for the new amendment would occur at the convention. Three-fourths majority of the states, which is 38, are needed to approve the amendment.
The wording in the Constitution is unclear whether the States have the right to demand that Congress call a Constitutional Convention, which is probably why, except for the Bill of Rights, all amendments have started through Congressional votes.
Congress represents all citizens not just:
Lobbyists
Unions
Big Business
Mega Rich
Special Interest Groups
Congressional Caucus
Congress should be in the hands of all citizens.
Term Limits is a necessary part of this process to reenergize voters to learn about the people we are electing to office.