How can a constitutional amendment be ratified?

• A. By a simple majority of Congress
• B. By a three-fourths vote of the state legislatures or by conventions in three-fourths of the states
• C. By a national vote
• D. By the President's approval

Answer: (B)

A constitutional amendment can be ratified either by a three-fourths vote of state legislatures or by conventions held in three-fourths of the states. This method is outlined in Article V of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes the process for amending the Constitution.

The requirement for three-fourths ensures a broad consensus is necessary for any changes to the fundamental law of the land, reflecting substantial agreement among the states and thus the citizens they represent. This high threshold serves to protect the Constitution from frequent or whimsical changes, ensuring that only amendments with considerable support can alter the nation's foundational legal document.

Other options do not apply in this case; a simple majority in Congress is only part of the process of proposing an amendment, and neither a national vote nor the President's approval is relevant to the ratification process as stipulated in the Constitution.