Why is it important for states to have the ability to amend their state's constition?
90274
Most of the state constitutions were written over a century ago. Things change. For instance, the constitution of the state of Alabama had to be changed to remove racist elements.
704789
The world is different than it was when the Constitution was ratified in 1789, and this is a process to update it to the current standards. It is also a way to clarify some of the language that may be vague (as in the 11th Amendment).\n\nFor example, in Article I, Section 2, it use to state, "...which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons". This was amended by the 14 Amendment to be, "any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States". This was later changed with the 19th Amendment (Women's Suffrage) and the 26th Amendment (Voting Age Set to 18 Years).
866353
It's covered in article five of the Constitution.  An amendment can be approved by a 2/3 majority of both the house and senate.  The second way is that the 2/3 of the states can call a constitutional conventions, and the proposed amendment much be approved by the legislatures of 3/4 of the states.\n\nBy the way, I was glad to have a chance to look up an answer from the Constitution.  It was good practice.
494102
Sure, if you would like to amend the United States Constitution... What do you suggest? Whipping? Caning? How about forced amputations for certain offenses? Branding? If you think these are good ideas, I suggest there are certain other places to live in this world where you perhaps might feel more comfortable. Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Indonesia, North Korea... I don't think they have a problem with prison overcrowding, maybe you'd like it in one of those places.
1030061
Why is it right now.\nThe right time to change or make amendments to the constitution is when something that affects the whole nation needs to be corrected by the federal government, not the states.\nSo right now would not be any better or worse a time than any other.  Depends on what you want to do to it.
5479
An amendment, duly approved by congress and ratified by the various states, by definition, cannot be unconstitutional. That is the whole point of amendments.\n\nEdit: I just wanted to point out that an amendment does not have to specifically repeal provisions in the original document. Only one amendment ever has, when prohibition was repealed, but every amendment has changed something in the original.
800430
Aside from the monumental task of amending the Constitution to do this (basically Amending the current Federal system out of existence), how do you propose governing each "region?"\n\nDifferent States have fifferent geographical, demographic, and geological bases, and one "set of laws" would not cover all.\n\nNot to mention, without states, "popular vote" would decide the Presidency, and no regions other than the former New York, California, and Texas would ever see a Presidental Candidate.\n\nBut if you guys who live in States want to give up your rights/responsibilities to govern yourselves, go ahead - we Commonwealths will just take over...
430036
Federal Law supercedes state law if they conflict.  However states can create and pass additional laws as long as the are not in violation with our constitutional rights.  That is why different states have different variations of the same basic law.
261723
To add on to the original.  Like in the constitution.  There are no revisions...just amendments which were added to the original later.  Sometimes admendments cancel out previous ones.
179886
The Constitution gives congress the power to make laws. States can also pass laws specific to there jurisdiction as long as the state law does not violate federal law. In cases where there is no federal law, states are free to come up with their own. An example that has had a lot of attention in recent years is the legalization of marijuana. Some states have past laws to make it legal but the federal government still says its a crime to possess it. If you live in a state where marijuana has been legalized, the federal government could still arrest you for violating federal law.
1058035
The US Constitution was written in 1776.  There have been alot of modifications (amendments) since that time but are you referring to just amendments during that five year period?  If you could be a little more specific, I could help you a whole lot more.  Oh yeah, and don't forget  about The Bill Of Rights.  Maybe even just as important.  To keep corruption out of the executive branch (you know--the checks & balance system) that's going to hell as we speak?  or rather write........
644031
The state would have to be admitted to the union by act of congress. The requirements are set by Article 4 of the Constitution: "New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress."
14728
The authority of the Constitution was established after it was ratified by the (I believe it had to be 7 of the 13)Thirteen States. What isn't expressly given to the Federal Government is implied to go to the states.  The 3 branches had their own powers that check and balance each other out
989868
constitutional reform is the process of changing the constitution
59864
If you mean amendments to the constitution:\n\nThe Congress, 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 States, 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 of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
964750
It was agreed that States would be able to keep their rights as "Sovereign" States, even though owned by the Nation.  The agreement was between an arguement from the Virginia plan and the New Jersey Plan.\n\nEver since the Colonies arose, each state had their right to trade within' other states, and their systems of law all different at least slightly...  States have their right to judge upon their own belief system because the federal law really only pertains to the Supreme Court, not other smaller, less significant courts.\n\nFor example, you can get away with piracy - meaning the copying of music and distribution (Illegally) - in a small court, or state court...  But in front of the Supreme Court, Federal law disallows the federal judge to make any judgement which does not agree with Federal Law.\n\nThis is also why Federal Judges are the highest number of impeached officers in the Government.  They sometimes make bad judgements which do not agree with Federal Law.
875589
The Constitution will not go into effect as law of the Land until ratified.\n\nThe (then) current Articles of Confederation were not meant to last forever and needed replacement and enhancements.  These Articles did not specify States Rights versus Federal Rights clearly.\n\nThe Federal Government is broken into 3 branches of Government, to ensure a system of "Checks and Balances."  No single group could get control.  Also, unlike the Articles, the Constitution gave details on how it can be changed in the future (by Ammentments and Ratification).