How can the Constitution of the United States be amended?

The Constitution of the United States outlines a specific and rigorous process for amending its text to ensure that changes reflect a broad consensus. The correct method for amending the Constitution is that two-thirds of both houses of Congress must propose an amendment. This requirement guarantees that any proposed change is supported by a significant majority of elected representatives. Following this proposal, the amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures, or by conventions in three-fourths of the states, providing an additional layer of approval that involves the states in the process.

This dual requirement of significant support both at the federal level (Congress) and the state level ensures that amendments to the Constitution are not made lightly or without widespread agreement across the nation. The designed purpose of this process is to prevent hasty or impulsive amendments and to safeguard the foundational principles of the Constitution itself. The other options do not accurately reflect the established procedures set forth in Article V of the Constitution, leading to insufficient processes for legitimate amendments.