ARTICLE V
Amending the Constitution
Summary: This Constitution may be amended whenever two-thirds of both Legislative Houses deem it necessary. It may also be amended when two-thirds of Sub-domain Legislatures call for a convention. To go into effect, proposed amendments must be ratified by three-fourths of all Sub-domains within seven years.
Should the Legislature fail to call for a convention when two-thirds of the Sub-domains call for one, the Sub-domains, themselves, may call for it and determine the time and place of meeting. No Sub-domain can be deprived of equal representation in the Senate.
PROCEDUFES FOR AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION
V.I.1. Legislative Initiative: The Legislature, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several [Sub-domains], shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Legislature (U.S.C. V.1.)
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> This clause enables the people to make changes to the constitution without having to riot or revolt.
> Although amending the Constituion is possible, the procedure requires a high level of support among Sub-domain legislatures or convention before it can be done. This procedure prevents amending it for temporary fads or passions, or for specious or clandestine purposes..
V.I.2. Sub-domain Initiative: [In the event that the Legislature fails to call a convention to amend the Constitution when two-thirds of the Legislatures of the Sub-domains apply for it, the Sub-domains shall call a Convention and determine the date, time and place of meeting.]
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> A convention called by Sub-domain legislatures is a second option for proposing amendments, a desirable alternative if the Legislature becomes controlled by a faction or cabal and operates at odds with the desires of the people.
EQUAL REPRESENTATION IN THE SENATE
V.2.1. No Sub-domain shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate. (U.S.C. V)
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> This clause protects the smaller Sub-domains from the possibility that the larger would pass an amendment excluding them from their equal representation in the Senate.
> Sub-domain appointment of Senators must remain inviolate to protect Sub-domain autonomy and the federalist system.
> It also encourages larger Sub-domains to divide up into several smaller Sub-domains which would give the people more Senatorial representation and a stronger voice in government.
> The Seventeenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which changed the mode of electing Senators from appointment by state legislatures to a popular vote, is contrary to the Founding Fathers intentions and violates Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution, as well as this clause in Article V.