Blog 2.3 "ERA is BACK!"

1. What changed about Virginia's government in last week's elections?

Democrats took control of the state's House and Senate.

2. What would the Equal Rights Amendment proposed in 1972 do?

The ERA would guarantee equal rights regardless of sex.

3. How many states ratified the amendment when it was originally proposed?  What states have ratified it recently?

Thirty-five states ratified it in five years, 22 within the first year. Recently, Nevada and Illinois have ratified it in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

4. According to the constitution, why is it necessary to have a 38th state ratify the amendment?

For an amendment to be in the constitution, 3/4 of the states have to ratify it. Thirty eight is 3/4 of 50.

5. What stipulation for its ratification did Congress add to the proposal in the 1970s?

Congress said that it had to ratified by thirty-eight states within seven years. 

6. How did the Virginia legislature vote on ratification of the ERA last year?  

Virginia almost ratified it but ultimately failed because the GOP controlled the state legislature.

7. How can Congress change the ratification deadline from 1982 to now?

Congress can vote to move the deadline to be any time they want the deadline to be.

8. How does the 27th Amendment provide an example that this amendment could be ratified now?

The 27th amendment was not ratified by 3/4 of the states until 190 years after Congress proposed it. The same can happen for the ERA.