How many more states are needed for a Convention of States?
Asked by: Mrs. Shakira Dibbert III | Last update: April 20, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (32 votes)
To trigger a Convention of States (COS) under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, 34 states (two-thirds of the states) must pass applications asking Congress to call a convention; as of late 2025, around 19 states had passed such resolutions, meaning about 15 more states were needed, though the exact count can vary depending on how some legislative actions are interpreted. The convention would then propose amendments, which must be ratified by three-fourths (38) of the states to become part of the Constitution.
How many states are needed for the Convention of States?
In the second method, if the legislatures of two-thirds of the states (34 at present) apply, Congress must call a convention to consider and propose amendments, which must meet the same 38-state ratification requirement.
How many states have voted for a Convention of States?
As of 2025, CSG's application for a Convention of States had been passed in 19 states. 34 states are required for a convention to be called.
What fraction of states can ask for a convention?
art. V ( The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments. . .. ).
How many states were needed to reach a decision at the convention?
Three months later, on September 17, 1787, the Convention concluded with the signing (by 38 out of 41 delegates present) of the new U.S. Constitution. Under Article VII, it was agreed that the document would not be binding until its ratification by nine of the 13 existing states.
Defining the Convention of States
Which amendment prevents the president and vice president from being inhabitants of the same state?
The 12th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution requires that presidential electors cast separate votes for President and Vice President, ensuring they are not from the same state as the elector, preventing a President and Vice President from the same state from being elected together if electors follow this rule, though it's not a direct prohibition on candidates from the same state running. The amendment states electors should vote for President and Vice President, "one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves".
Which states have passed the Convention of States 2025?
Fifteen states have already passed the Convention of States Project's application (Florida, Georgia, Alaska, Alabama, Tennessee, Indiana, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arizona, North Dakota, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Utah, and Mississippi).
What is the 2 3 state convention?
Congress must call a convention for proposing amendments upon application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the states (i.e., 34 of 50 states). Amendments proposed by Congress or convention become valid only when ratified by the legislatures of, or conventions in, three-fourths of the states (i.e., 38 of 50 states).
Has Article V ever been used?
Overview. Article V of the U.S. Constitution provides two avenues for amending the Constitution. One of those avenues – an Article V Convention – has never before been used, in part because it could put the entire Constitution on the chopping block.
How many of the 13 states were required to agree in order for something to pass?
The Founding Fathers now had to get the states to agree to the document and to vote in favor of it. Nine states needed to vote for the Constitution for it to be accepted.
Which state never attended the convention?
After the war, because its citizens favored a weaker central government, Rhode Island boycotted the 1787 convention that had drafted the United States Constitution, which it initially refused to ratify.
When did the U.S. go from 48 to 50 states?
The U.S. went from 48 to 50 states in 1959, with Alaska becoming the 49th state on January 3, 1959, and Hawaii becoming the 50th and final state on August 21, 1959, marking the last additions to the Union.
What state did not go to the convention?
The original states, except Rhode Island, collectively appointed 70 individuals to the Constitutional Convention. A number of these individuals did not accept or could not attend, including Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock.
Why did only 39 of the 55 delegates sign?
Only 39 delegates signed the U.S. Constitution because many of the 70 appointed delegates didn't attend, some left early due to illness or business, and three prominent figures—George Mason, Elbridge Gerry, and Edmund Randolph—refused to sign, primarily because the document lacked a Bill of Rights to protect individual and state freedoms, fearing a too-powerful central government.
What was the only state to not attend the Constitutional Convention?
Rhode Island was the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
How many states are required for ratification?
Constitution of the United States
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.
Does the president have the authority to pull out of NATO?
No, the U.S. President cannot unilaterally withdraw from NATO anymore; a new law, Section 1250A of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), prevents withdrawal without approval from the Senate or a separate Act of Congress, adding legal barriers to a presidential move that previously lacked explicit constitutional guidance on termination. This means the President needs either two-thirds Senate approval or a specific law passed by Congress to pull the U.S. out of the alliance.
Did NATO invoke article 5 in 2025?
Article 5 has been invoked only once in NATO history, after the September 11 attacks on the United States in 2001.
What happens if a NATO country attacks another NATO country?
If a NATO country attacks another, the collective defense clause (Article 5) (an attack on one is an attack on all) technically kicks in, but the alliance has no specific, pre-defined procedure because it's designed to defend against external threats, not internal ones, meaning activation would likely cause disarray, political crisis, and potentially the end of NATO as members struggle to agree on action against a fellow member, especially a powerful one. While members are obligated to assist, the specifics (like using armed force) are up to each nation, and consensus is improbable, leading to internal division rather than unified defense.
Did the founding fathers put God in the Constitution?
No, the Founding Fathers did not put God in the U.S. Constitution; the document is notably silent on God and religion, a deliberate choice reflecting a consensus on separating church and state, though the Declaration of Independence did mention a Creator and the Articles of Confederation used "Great Governor of the World," while the Constitution includes a "Year of our Lord" in its date and bars religious tests for office in Article VI and the First Amendment protects religious freedom.
What do the 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 14th amendments do?
The 4th Amendment protects against unreasonable searches; the 5th guarantees due process, no self-incrimination (pleading the fifth), and prevents double jeopardy; the 6th ensures rights in criminal trials like counsel and speedy trial; the 8th forbids excessive bail/fines and cruel/unusual punishment; and the 14th, via the Due Process Clause, applies these federal protections (including 4, 5, 6, 8) to the states, ensuring equal protection and citizenship rights.
Can the president change the Constitution?
The Constitution does not give a president the power to violate the Constitution, create or change congressional statutes, or override U.S. Supreme Court decisions—no matter what the EOs say.
Who walked out of the Constitutional Convention?
After two of New York's three delegates, John Lansing Jr. and Robert Yates, abandoned the convention on July 10 with no intention of returning, New York was unable to vote on any further proposals, but Alexander Hamilton continued to occasionally speak during the convention's debates.
Which of the 13 states did not attend the Constitutional Convention?
But Rhode Island refused to send a delegation, and the convention instead set about drafting a new Constitution. Rhode Island was the only state that did not participate in its proceedings.
What is the Article 5 of the Constitution?
Article V of the U.S. Constitution outlines the process for amending the Constitution, providing two main paths: Congress can propose amendments (requiring a two-thirds vote in both houses) or a national convention can be called (if two-thirds of state legislatures request it), with all proposed amendments needing ratification by three-fourths of the states, either through their legislatures or special conventions, with safeguards against depriving any state of equal Senate representation without consent.