CONSTITUTION - Article V - Independence Institute

The Convention of States in American History 0
- June 1, 2017
In this short essay, constitutional historian Rob Natelson thumbnails the three-centuries long history of “conventions of the states.” When delegations from the states assemble in Phoenix, Arizona later this year, they will be basking in a long and rich American tradition. As far back as 1677, British colonies in North America sent “commissioners” (delegates) to
READ MORE
Convention Rules for a Convention of the States 0
- May 28, 2017
The convention of the states meeting in Phoenix, Arizona in September will need a set of rules. Moreover, that convention will be engaged in further rule-writing because the Arizona Legislature called it partly to suggest rules for a prospective Article V Convention for Proposing Amendments. I suggest the planners start with the Model Rules provided
READ MORE
How Progressives Promoted the “Runaway Convention” Myth To Protect the “Warren Court’s” Judicial Activism 0
- May 21, 2017
You may have heard alarms that if we hold a national convention for proposing constitutional amendments the gathering would be an uncontrollable constitutional convention (“con-con”) that could propose anything at all. The claim is called the “runaway scenario.” It has almost no basis in history or law. But it has long frightened Americans away from
READ MORE

How progressives promoted the ‘runaway convention’ myth to save judicial activism 0
- May 7, 2017
You may have heard alarms that if we hold a national convention for proposing constitutional amendments the gathering would be an uncontrollable constitutional convention (“con-con”) that could propose anything at all. The claim is called the “runaway scenario.” It has almost no basis in history or law.
READ MORE
Scalia Probably Favored An Amendments Convention — But Does It Matter?0
- April 12, 2017
A majority of state legislatures have voted to trigger the U.S. Constitution’s most important procedure for reforming the federal government. This is the gathering that Article V of the Constitution calls “a convention for proposing amendments”—more popularly known as a “convention of states.” Advocates of a convention of states rely on a supportive statement made by the
READ MORE
Voters shouldn’t be shy about amending the Constitution to bypass Congress 0
- March 21, 2017
The convention of states process is well-honed, safe, and effective. Americans need to consider carefully whether the Constitution should be amended. But they should not allow disinformation to influence their choice.
READ MORE