What fraction of states must ratify constitutional amendments for them to become law?

• A. One-half
• B. Two-thirds
• C. Three-fourths
• D. All states

Answer: (C)

Changing the Constitution requires a broad, supermajority approval from the states after an amendment is proposed. The rule is three-fourths of the states must ratify, either through their legislatures or through state conventions called for that purpose. Since there are 50 states, three-fourths equals 38 states, so 38 must ratify for an amendment to become law. This is why the correct choice is three-fourths. The other options don’t fit: one-half would only be 25 states, which is not the required threshold; two-thirds relates to the proposal stage, not ratification; and requiring all states would be far more stringent than the actual rule.