What fraction of states must ratify an amendment for it to become part of the Constitution?

• A. Three-fourths of the states; can be ratified by legislatures or state conventions.
• B. Simple majority of the states.
• C. All states must ratify.
• D. Two-thirds of the states.

Answer: (A)

Amendments to the Constitution are adopted only after broad national support through ratification by the states. Once an amendment is proposed, it must be approved by three-fourths of the states to become part of the Constitution. That means 38 of the 50 states must ratify. Congress determines how the states will vote on ratification, allowing either state legislatures or state conventions to carry out the process. This high threshold ensures any amendment reflects wide consensus across the country.

The other options don’t fit because a simple majority isn’t enough to change the Constitution, requiring all states would be far more demanding than the actual rule, and two-thirds of the states applies to the proposal stage in Congress, not to ratification.