> A ratifying convention of the states has the power to amend the US constitution.
No, it does not. Article V allows two-thirds of the state to call for a convention of the states to be assembled to propose amendments; three-fourths of the state legislatures, or three-fourths of state conventions assembled for the purpose, must ratify any proposals made.
So in the current setup, 67 legislative bodies are required to call for the assembly of a single body that can write up amendment proposals, but then 75 legislative bodies (or 75 conventions) then have to vote to ratify those proposals.
That is a far cry from a single body ratifying amendments.
The full text of Article V, for reference (emphasis mine):
> The 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.
No, it does not. Article V allows two-thirds of the state to call for a convention of the states to be assembled to propose amendments; three-fourths of the state legislatures, or three-fourths of state conventions assembled for the purpose, must ratify any proposals made.
So in the current setup, 67 legislative bodies are required to call for the assembly of a single body that can write up amendment proposals, but then 75 legislative bodies (or 75 conventions) then have to vote to ratify those proposals.
That is a far cry from a single body ratifying amendments.
The full text of Article V, for reference (emphasis mine):
> The 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.