| A Constitutional Amendment is a modification | | | | Denmark, The Netherlands, Iceland and Norway |
| made to the legislator system of a country. The | | | | and in sub-national entities in the United States like |
| constitution of a country consists of rulings that | | | | Iowa, Vermont and Wisconsin. |
| are officially put into place through the parliament | | | | In countries like the US three quarters of the |
| of a country that are implemented to govern its | | | | legislature body have to agree upon a change in |
| people.In order for these rulings to be modified, | | | | the constitution before it can be formally |
| there are certain procedures that need to be | | | | implemented. In countries like Switzerland, Canada |
| implemented, which can sometimes follow irregular | | | | and Australia, different requirements apply. In |
| proceedings from what would be enacted for | | | | Canada, after a proposition is made by the |
| ordinary laws. A constitutional amendment has to | | | | members of parliament then the consent of a |
| be validated by a submission through either the | | | | provincial legislature is required. While in Switzerland |
| members of the legislature system or by the | | | | and Australia, a constitutional amendment has to |
| request of certain civilian bodies. However, some | | | | be approved by a majority of electorates |
| changes in constitution can only be approved with | | | | including separate majority votes in each canton |
| the direct approval of the electorate in a | | | | within the country. |
| referendum. | | | | Many states also merge a series of different |
| The way in which a constitution is altered may | | | | elements from each amendment proceedings. In |
| vary from state to state. In some states the | | | | cases like the French, their constitution |
| jurisdictions entail that a constitutional amendment | | | | amendment system is arranged out of one or |
| must be approved by the governing body of a | | | | two procedures. It can either be achieved through |
| country on two counts wihtin two separate but | | | | a majority vote or by a referendum. In the U.S. |
| consecutive terms, and is achieved by running a | | | | State of Massachusetts a constitutional |
| general election. The legislature is then put on hold | | | | amendment has to be made by a special majority |
| to accommodate a general election whenever an | | | | of legislature during two consecutive terms which |
| amendment is being implemented for the first | | | | is then sent to a referendum for a final approval. |
| time. This is done in sovereign states such as | | | | |