AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION — Must be proposed by Congress with 2/3 vote of each house.
RATIFYING THE CONSTITUTION — 3/4 State Legislatures must approve.
27 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
1. Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, petition for redress
2. Bear Arms
3. No lodging of troops in homes without consent of owner
4. Search and Seizure – Protection from unreasonable searches. A search and seizure is permitted only if a judge has issued a warrant.
5. Rights of Accused – Must be an indictment (formal accusation) from a grand jury.
Double Jeopardy – cant be tried for the same crime twice unless a legal error.
Person on trial can’t be forced to testify. All entitled to due process of law, government can not take property unless they show a need and compensate fairly
6. Speedy trial by jury- An impartial jury is guaranteed to all.
7. Jury trial in civil cases – Right to a trial by jury if more than $20.00.
Appeals court cannot change a verdict because it disagrees with verdict of jury.
8. Bail and Punishment — No excessive bail or cruel and unusual punishment.
9. Powers reserved to people – People have rights that are not listed in the Constitution.
10. Powers reserved to states – Powers not given to Federal Government belongs to the states.
11. Suits against states – citizens from one state can not sue the government of another state in Federal Court, they can sue a state government in a state court.
12. Election of President and Vice President – Electoral College, House of Rep. decides Pres. if no majority, Senate elects V.P. if no majority.
13. Abolition of Slavery – Freed all slaves and outlaws involuntary servitude.
14. Rights of Citizens – Defines citizens, prohibits states from denying rights of citizenship and protection to all, replaces 3/5 Compromise.
15. Voting Rights – All men over 21 can vote (blacks).
16. Income tax – Collect taxes on people’s income.
17. Direct Election of Senators – Senators are now elected by the people.
18. Prohibition of Alcoholic beverages – Banned making, selling or transporting alcohol in U.S.
19. Women’s Suffrage – Women gain the right to vote
20. Presidential terms – President’s term ends the 20th of January at noon. Senators and House of Rep. terms end on 3rd of Jan. at noon.
21. Repeal of Prohibition – Alcohol is now legal.
22. Limit on President’s terms – Pres. can only serve 2 terms.
23. Presidential electors for District of Columbia – Residents of D.C. have the right to vote in Presidential elections (3 votes).
24. Abolition of Poll tax in National Elections (poll tax is a tax on voters) – Cannot charge a tax on voters. Used to keep blacks from voting.
25. Presidential Succession and Disability – In case of death or resignation of Pres., V.P. becomes Pres. In sickness, V.P. can act for Pres.
26. Voting age lowered to 18
27. Congressional Salaries – Congress cannot give themselves a raise while in office, it would take affect the next session of Congress.