According to the amendment process, how many states must approve an amendment for it to be ratified?

The requirement for an amendment to be ratified is that it must receive approval from three-fourths of the states. This means that out of the 50 states in the U.S., at least 38 must ratify the proposed amendment for it to become law. This high threshold is designed to ensure that amendments reflect a broad consensus across the country and are not easily adopted or repealed, maintaining the stability of the Constitution.

This ratification process is outlined in Article V of the Constitution and emphasizes the importance of widespread agreement before making significant changes to the nation's foundational legal document. The options involving 51% or 2/3 of the states reflect a lower threshold that would not meet the constitutional requirement. Requiring all states to approve an amendment would be impractical and nearly impossible in a diverse nation, hence the three-fourths requirement strikes a balance between federalism and the need for unity in constitutional changes.