Title: FAQ

Original CoS Document (slug): [[https://conventionofstates.com/files/faq|faq]]

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Attached File: COS_FAQ.pdf

This document provides answers to many frequently asked questions about the Convention of States process and dispels myths and objections to the grassroots movement

Created: 2017-07-06 07:08:53

Updated: 2021-09-09 23:00:00

Published: 2017-07-17 18:00:00

Converted: 2025-04-14T19:21:52.680776419


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**Why Do We Want to Call a \\
Convention of States?**

The federal government is spending 

this country into the ground, seizing 

power from the states, and taking 

liberty from the people. 

**What is a Convention \\
of States?**

A convention of states is a meeting 

initiated by the state legislatures 

under Article V of the Constitution 

for the purpose of proposing 

amendments to the 

U.S. Constitution.

**How Do the State \\
Legislatures Call a \\
Convention of States?**

Thirty-four state legislatures must 

pass a resolution applying for a 

convention of states dealing 

with the same subject matter.

**How Realistic is Calling a \\
Convention of States?**

Over 4.5 million supporters have 

called for a Convention of States. 

Thirty states have passed our 

resolution through at least one 

committee, and twenty-three states 

have passed the resolution through 

one chamber.

**Can Congress Block a \\
Convention of States?**

No. Once 34 states apply for a 

convention to propose amendments 

on the same issue, Article V requires 

Congress to name the place and 

the time for the convention.

**Article V says Congress \\
“Calls” the Convention. **

**Does This Mean it Controls \\
the Convention and \\
Chooses the Delegates?**

No. Once 34 states apply, Congress 

has no discretion whether to call a 

convention and no control over 

the delegates. 

**How Do States Choose \\
Their Delegates?**

States are free to develop their 

own selection processes for 

choosing their delegates. 

**FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS**

CONVENTION OF STATES ACTION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS



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**What Happens at a \\
Convention of States?**

Delegates discuss and 

propose amendment proposals 

that fi t the topic framed by 

the 34 state resolutions that 

triggered the convention. 

Each state gets one vote.

**How are Proposed \\
Amendments Ratified?**

Thirty-eight states must ratify any 

proposed amendments sent back to 

the states by the convention.

**How Do We Know How a\\
Convention of States \\
Will Work?**

Interstate conventions were 

common during the founding era, 

and the basic procedures and rules 

for such conventions were uniform.

**Is a Convention of \\
States Safe?**

Yes. The topic of amendments is 

limited by the states’ applications. 

All other topics are out of order for 

the convention. In addition, the 

ratifi cation process ensures no 

amendment will be passed that 

does not refl ect the desires of 

the American people.

**If Federal Officials \\
Ignore the Current \\
Constitution, Why Would \\
They Adhere to an \\
Amended Constitution?**

Federal offi  cials don’t “ignore” the 

Constitution so much as “lawyer” 

around it. For instance, they claim 

that the power to tax and spend for 

the “general welfare” gives 

Congress power to tax and 

spend for any purpose whatsoever.

Amendments at a Convention 

of States today will be written with 

these politicians and judges in mind. 

There will be no doubt as to their 

meaning, and no possibility of 

alternate interpretations.

**What is the Plan?**

**1.** Our resolution calls for a 

convention to propose amendments 

on particular subjects–limiting 

federal power, mandating fi scal 

responsibility, and imposing 

term limits—rather than a 

particular amendment.

**2.** The grassroots army is the key 

to implementing an Article V 

convention. With over 4.5 million 

supporters and signed petitions in 

100% of legislative districts across 

America, our grassroots army is 

the largest Article V grassroots 

movement in history. 

Conventi onofStates.com info@conventi onofstates.com 540-441-7227

//Support the only soluti on that is as big as the problem.\\
//**Sign the peti ti on at Conventi onofStates.com**