Which statement about amending the Constitution by state ratification is true?

• A. It requires majority vote of state legislatures.
• B. It requires three-fourths of the state legislatures.
• C. It requires three-fourths of the states.
• D. It requires unanimous consent of all states.

Answer: (C)

Amending through state ratification requires a broad, nationwide agreement: after Congress proposes an amendment, three-fourths of the states must approve it to make it part of the Constitution. Each state can choose to ratify either through its legislature or by a state ratifying convention, but the crucial point is the level of support across the states—three-fourths. With 50 states, that means 38 must ratify. This explains why the statement is true: the requirement is not a simple majority of state legislatures, not three-fourths of the legislatures, and not unanimous consent.