Final answer:
Several amendments have clarified constitutional procedures, including the 12th, 17th, 20th, 22nd, and 25th Amendments. Article V outlines the formal amendment process, and the Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments securing individual freedoms. Informal changes also occur through judicial interpretation, impacting constitutional practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Constitutional Amendments Altering Constitutional Procedures
The United States Constitution has been amended several times to change or clarify constitutional procedures. Notably, the 12th Amendment modified the process for electing the President and Vice President. The 17th Amendment changed the appointment of senators from being chosen by state legislatures to being directly elected by the people. The 20th and 22nd Amendments modified presidential term limits and the sequence of presidential succession. Furthermore, the 25th Amendment clarified procedures for presidential disability and succession.
Article V provides the formal method for amending the Constitution, requiring a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or by two-thirds of state legislatures to propose an amendment, followed by ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified to protect individual rights such as freedom of speech, due process, and protection against cruel and unusual punishment.
Apart from formal amendments, the interpretation of the Constitution can change significantly through court cases, adding layers of informal, yet impactful, adjustments over time. For instance, the issue of privacy rights has seen substantial clarification through landmark court cases, even though the Constitution does not explicitly mention privacy.