The US Constitution has endured for more than 2 centuries as the framework of government. However, the meaning of the Constitution has been changed both by formal and informal methods.

There are two formal methods of getting amendments added to the constitution. The First way is Congress. Congress can amend the constitution with a vote from two thirds of each house. The second way is to go through the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has the power to amend the constitution when a case is brought to them. The founders of the constitution left many areas of the constitution open to interpretation so there are many ways to informally change the constitution. One method is the elastic clause. The elastic clause gives congress the ability to pass any law that is "necessary and proper" for carrying out its power. The constitution can be amended because judicial review changed the rule of law de facto. The methods of changing the constitution depend of the interpretations of what the constitution says and understanding the underlying intent. Judicial Review is the doctrine under legislative and executive branches are subject to be reviewed. Judicial Review is an example of checks and balances in modern day government. It can review the laws to see if they are following the constitutions original intentions. Informal changes to the constitution are more common than formal changes because they are much easier to do.