What is the requirement for a proposed amendment to be ratified?

The requirement for a proposed amendment to be ratified is that it must receive a three-fourths majority of state legislatures or conventions. This means that once an amendment passes both houses of Congress, it must be ratified by at least 38 out of the 50 state legislatures (if the state legislatures are the method of ratification chosen). This high threshold is designed to ensure that amendments have broad support across the nation, reflecting a collective agreement among a significant majority of states.

The process of ratification through state legislatures, rather than relying on a simple or larger majority in Congress or an executive decision, is foundational to the amendment process outlined in Article V of the U.S. Constitution. This requirement acknowledges the importance of both federal and state systems in American governance and ensures that amendments are not made lightly or without a strong consensus.