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zachary elkins

Photo of Gregory Watson shows off the A+ on his Update of Student Academic Record application at his office at the Texas Capitol.

The “C” that Changed the Constitution

January 11, 2018 by Rachel White

It took two centuries and one mediocre grade to ratify the 27th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In 1982, Gregory Watson stumbled upon a 200-year-old proposed amendment, written by James Madison, while researching a paper for his sophomore government class. It read: “No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives […]

The signing of the Constitution. Painting by Howard Chandler Christy.

Can you Fit a Constitution on an Index Card?

September 17, 2015 by Zachary Elkins

The answer, apparently, is yes. As of today (Constitution Day), a Google search on “constitution” squeezes the 4,500 word U.S. Constitution on a card at the top of the results (and a 3×5 card at that, at least on my screen). A drop-down menu allows the reader to jump through sections. A number of other […]

Constitute project website home page with people standing with arms overhead.

Helping Constitutions Endure

September 19, 2013 by Jessica Sinn Leave a Comment

Government professor launches Google website at United Nations General Assembly Constitutions are supposed to provide a sustainable structure for politics. Yet only half live more than 19 years. Zachary Elkins, associate professor of government and a leading constitutional scholar, knows what it takes for constitutions to last for generations—and now he’s teaming up with Google […]

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