Definition of «constitutional convention»

A constitutional convention is a gathering of elected representatives or appointed delegates to draft, revise or amend the Constitution of a country. It is usually called for by lawmakers or government officials when they believe that changes need to be made to the existing document in order to better reflect the will and needs of the people. The convention brings together experts from various fields such as legal scholars, historians, politicians, and citizens to discuss and debate proposed amendments before presenting them to the public for a vote.

The process of convening a constitutional convention is usually a deliberate one that involves several steps. Firstly, there must be a call for a convention by either two-thirds of state legislatures or by Congress through a proposal approved by three-fourths of states. Once the decision to hold a convention has been made, delegates are appointed and the process begins.

During the convention, various proposals are discussed and debated before being voted on. If a majority of the delegates approve of an amendment, it is then sent to Congress where it must be approved by three-fourths of both houses before going to the states for ratification. Once an amendment has been ratified by three-fourths of the states, it becomes part of the Constitution and is considered law.

In summary, a constitutional convention is a gathering of experts called together to discuss, debate and propose changes to the existing Constitution with the aim of better reflecting the will and needs of the people.

Sentences with «constitutional convention»

  • However, there are long standing practices in place which provide meaning to the constitutional text and any gaps in the provisions, which could make it part of constitutional convention. (slaw.ca)
  • If 50 legislators approve it, it goes to a second constitutional convention next year, with another 50 votes needed for it to go on the ballot. (legalblogwatch.typepad.com)
  • However, the story of the Scottish Constitutional Convention also tells us that such a process will take time, and can not be rushed or accomplished overnight. (blog.politics.ox.ac.uk)
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