Ratification of Constitutional Amendments

Article 5 of the Constitution provides for theamendment of the Constitution by various means (seeTheAmendments Page for details). However an amendment is proposed, it doesnot become part of the Constitution unless it is ratified by three-quarters ofthe states (either the legislatures thereof, or in amendment conventions). Thefollowing is a record of each ratified amendment and the states and dates thatled to the ratification. TheConstitutionalTimeline and theRatification Grid may alsobe of interest.

The information contained on this page was found on theAmendmentsto the Constitution Page at Emory University's site and on theText of theAmendments Page at the GPO's site. As noted on those pages, the datespublished here are based on the best information available.

There is some disagreement about the ability of a state to rescind anamendment ratification prior to full ratification. In U.S. history, thus far,no rescinded ratifications have made a difference in the long run, thoughthey certainly have happened, especially to the Reconstruction Amendments,13 through 15. On this page, only dates of first ratificationare listed. States that never accepted an amendment are notlisted at all.

In each table, the "*" column will contain a * symbol next to the state thatprovided the required three-quarters vote for ratification. Note that thenumber of states required for ratification increased through history - someamendments, then, required more states at the time of ratification than theyneeded at the time of proposal.

Quick links:Bill of Rights,11th,12th,13th,14th,15th,16th,17th,18th,19th,20th,21st,22nd,23rd,24th,25th,26th,27th.

The first ten amendments, commonly known as agroup as the Bill of Rights, were all ratified at once.Theamendments were proposed on September 25, 1789.

The 11th Amendment, which limits SupremeCourt jurisdiction, wasproposed on March 4, 1794.

The 12th Amendment, which reworks thepresidential selection process, wasproposed on December 9,1803.

This amendment was specifically rejected by Delaware on Jan 18, 1804; byMassachusetts on Feb 3, 1804; and by Connecticut, on May 10, 1804.

The 13th Amendment, which prohibits slavery,wasproposed on January 31, 1865.

* Mississippi ratified the amendment in 1995, but the state didn'tofficially notify the US Archivist until 2012, when the ratification finally became official.

This amendment was specifically rejected by Delaware on Feb 8, 1865; byKentucky on Feb 24, 1865; by New Jersey on Mar 16, 1865; and by Mississippi onDec 4, 1865. Florida reaffirmed its ratification on Jun 9, 1868.

The 14th Amendment, which guarantees therights of citizens and other persons, wasproposed on June 13,1866.

This amendment was specifically rejected by Texas on Oct 27, 1866; byGeorgia on Nov 6, 1866; by North Carolina on Dec 14, 1866; by South Carolinaon Dec 20, 1866; by Kentucky on Jan 8, 1867; by Virginia on Jan 9, 1867; byLouisiana on Feb 6, 1867; by Delaware on Feb 8, 1867; and by Maryland on Mar23, 1867. New Jersey's ratification was rescinded on Mar 24, 1868; Ohiorescinded its ratification on Jan 15, 1868 and ratified again on Mar 13,2003.

The 15th Amendment, which ensures the rightof black men to vote, wasproposed on February 26, 1869.

This amendment was specifically rejected by Kentucky on Mar 12, 1869; byDelaware on Mar 18, 1869; by Ohio on Apr 30, 1869; by Tennessee on Nov 16,1869; by California on Jan 28, 1870; by New Jersey on Feb 7, 1870; and byMaryland on Feb 26, 1870. New York rescinded its ratification on Jan 5, 1870,and rescinded the rescission on Mar 30, 1970.

The 16th Amendment, which specificallyauthorizes the income tax, wasproposed on July 12, 1909.

This amendment was specifically rejected by New Hampshire on Mar 2, 1911.It was also rejected by Arkansas prior to its subsequent ratification, and byConnecticut, Rhode Island, and Utah.

The 17th Amendment, which required Senatorsbe elected by the people, wasproposed on May 13, 1912.

This amendment was specifically rejected by Utah on Feb 26, 1913.

The 18th Amendment, which prohibitedalcohol, wasproposed on December 18, 1917.

This amendment was specifically rejected by Rhode Island.

The 19th Amendment, which ensures womenthe right to vote, wasproposed on June 4, 1919.

This amendment was specifically rejected by Georgia on Jul 24, 1919; byAlabama on Sep 22, 1919; by South Carolina on Jan 28, 1920; by Virginia on Feb12, 1920; by Maryland on Feb 24, 1920; by Mississippi on Mar 29, 1920; byDelaware on Jun 2, 1920; and by Louisiana on Jul 1, 1920.

Illinois reaffirmed its ratification on Jun 17, 1919; Connecticut reaffirmedits ratification on Sep 21, 1920. Maryland's ratification was not certifieduntil Feb 25, 1958. South Carolina's ratification was not certified until Aug22, 1973.

The 20th Amendment, which sets the dates forthe beginning of congressional and presidential terms, wasproposed on March 2, 1932.

The 21st Amendment, which repealed Amendment18, wasproposed on February 20, 1933.

This amendment was specifically rejected by South Carolina on Dec 4,1933.

The 22nd Amendment, which sets thepresidential two-term limit, wasproposed on March 21,1947.

This amendment was specifically rejected by Oklahoma in Jun 1947; and byMassachusetts on Jun 9, 1949.

The 23rd Amendment, which grantsWashington D.C. electoral votes, wasproposed on June 17,1960.

This amendment was specifically rejected by Arkansas on Jan 24, 1961.New Hampshire ratified on Mar 29, 1961 but then rescinded the ratificationthe same day.

The 24th Amendment, which ensures thevote cannot be taken away for failing to pay a poll tax, wasproposed on August 27, 1962.

This amendment was specifically rejected by Mississippi on Dec 20, 1962.

The 25th Amendment, which detailspresidential disability procedures, wasproposed on July 6,1965.

The 26th Amendment, which ensures thevote to all citizens over the age of 18, wasproposed on March23, 1971.

The 27th Amendment, which restricts raisesin congressional pay, wasproposed on September 25,1789.

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