Ratification
Ratification is formal approval that gives a document, agreement, or constitutional amendment legal effect under the applicable process. In the United States, the process differs for constitutional amendments, treaties, and other actions.
Ratification is formal approval that gives a document, agreement, or constitutional amendment legal effect under the applicable process. In the United States, the process differs for constitutional amendments, treaties, and other actions.
Example: The Constitution took effect among the ratifying states after the required number of states approved it under Article VII.
Common misconception: The President signs constitutional amendments for them to become valid. Article V assigns the ratification process to the states, using the method Congress specifies.
Sources: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript; https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-5/