What is An Amendments Convention? A Quick Intro

Rob Natelson, Site Moderator

Are you a journalist or other citizen who needs a quick overview of the Constitution’s Article V “Convention for Proposing Amendments?” Get this Question and Answer sheet.

It explains what a Convention for Proposing Amendments is—and is not. (It is not, for example, a “constitutional convention.”)

The issue paper also explains why the procedure is in the Constitution, and how it works. It discusses the role of state legislatures and of Congress. And it corrects misconceptions prevailing even among scholars who have not researched the topic themselves.