Question

How many states ratified the Act?

Answer 1

The U.S. Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in 1972 and sent it to the states for ratification. To become part of the Constitution, it needed approval from 38 states (three-fourths of the 50 states). However, by the original deadline of 1982, only 35 states had ratified the ERA, three states short of the required number. Therefore, it did not become law, although debates and efforts to revive it continue.