What was the purpose of the state ratifying conventions?

What was the purpose of the state ratifying conventions?

The ratifying conventions served the necessary function of informing the public of the provisions of the proposed new government. They also served as forums for proponents and opponents to articulate their ideas before the citizenry. Significantly, state conventions, not Congress, were the agents of ratification.

What is an Article 5 Convention of States?

Article V says that “on the Application of two thirds of the Legislatures of the several States, [Congress] shall call a Convention for proposing amendments.” The convention can propose amendments, whether Congress approves of them or not. Those proposed amendments would then be sent to the states for ratification.

Has any convention of states happened?

There has never been a Constitutional Convention called by the states. However, many states have made efforts to call a convention. Estimates show state legislatures have passed hundreds of resolutions calling for an Article V Constitutional Convention in the last 200 years.

What exactly is the convention of states?

A convention of states is a convention called by the state legislatures for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution. It is not a constitutional convention. It cannot throw out the Constitution because its authority is derived from the Constitution.

How many states eventually favor ratifying the Constitution?

Nine states needed to vote for the Constitution for it to be accepted. Each state was given six months to meet and vote on the proposed Constitution.

What power does a convention of states have?

Article V of the U.S. Constitution gives states the power to call a Convention of States to propose amendments. It takes 34 states to call the convention and 38 to ratify any amendments that are proposed.

What would a convention of states do?

What is a Convention of States? It is a meeting initiated by the state legislatures under Article V of the Constitution for the express purpose of proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution.