[sergeantdave]

Well, Congressman Billybob, let me put you on the spot a little bit.

During Civil War Reconstruction, the Radical Republicans informed the southern states that they would NOT be allowed back into the Union unless they ratified the 14th Amendment.

How can a “state” that is NOT a state be allowed to vote on a constitutional amendment? And how can an amendment be considered “ratified” by a state that is not a state?

Just want to get your opinion on this conundrum....

[Congressman Billybob]

I haven't looked into the math of the ratification of the 14th. I do know that the rebel states were required to ratify the Civil War Amendments (the 13th, 14th, 15th). What I do not know is whether those had adequate states for ratification from the Union states, and the requirement was only to make certain that the ratification would not be undone.

John / Billybob