Pennsylvania. Rhode Island.... 15 (1) Popular ratification (convention proposals) Referendum vote Majority vote on ques- Majority vote on protion. posals. Majority vote on ques- Majority vote on protion. posals. Majority vote on ques- No provision. 16 Majority votes of legis Majority votes on ques- According to terms of South Carolina.... South Dakota. Tennessee. Texas.. Utah. Vermont. lature. tion. act calling conven tion. 1 1⁄2 members elected... Majority voting at next Majority vote at next general election. general election. 11 Virginia. 19 Majority members • Source: The Book of the States, 1954-56, vol. X. Council of State Governments, Chicago. 1 For dates of conventions and action taken at each, see The Book of the States, 1941-42, pp. 48-55, and subsequent volumes. Constitutional conventions for the purpose of proposing amendments were held in New Hampshire in 1930, 1938, 1941 and 1948. In New Hampshire eight proposed amendments ware drafted by the Limited Constitutional Convention meeting April-July, 1953. They will be submitted to the people on November 3, 1963, and a majority of those voting will be sufficient to ratify each of the eight proposals. A single amendment to Virginia's constitution was effected by a convention on May 2, 1945. In the states which make no provision for revision or amendment by constitutional convention, it appears that such conventions have been held permissible as an inherent right of the people acting through elected representatives. One of these was not a convention, but a special constitutional commission appointed by the Governor, under authority of an act of the legislature. Majority vote must constitute 35 percent of total vote cast at general election, or of registered voters at special election. PRESENT FEDERAL PROCEDURE FOR TRANSMITTING PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS TO THE STATES FOR RATIFICA TION Originally, Revised Statute 205 contained the procedure for transmitting resolutions containing constitutional amendments to States. By its authority, the State Department performed this function. In 1950, however, Reorganization Plan No. 20 (5 U. S. C. 133z), effective May 24, 1950, transferred the functions to the General Services Administration. In 1951, Congress enacted section 106b of title 1, United States Code, which repealed Revised Statute 205 and reflected the changes brought about by Reorganization Plan No. 20 of 1950. The following procedure is not wholly statutory. It has been developed through the years: (1) When Congress adopts a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment, certified copies are sent to the General Services Administration. (2) The General Services Administration transmits copies of the resolution with covering letter, to the Governors asking them to advise the State legislatures. Receipt acknowledgment is obtained from the Governors. (3) When the State legislature approves or disapproves a proposed amendment, General Services Administration receives notification either from (a) the Governor, or (b) the State legislature. (4) When it is evident that nearly three-fourths of the States have ratified a proposed amendment, General Services Administration keep in constant touch with the remaining States, especially those whos legislatures are in session. (5) When the legislatures of three-fourths of the States have ratified a proposed amendment, the Administrator of General Services issues a proclamation declaring the proposal to be officially part of the United States Constitution. 103 BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS AND TREATISES Acton, Lord. The Cambridge Modern History. 13 vols. 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