# Is there a working constitution? An actual document we add on to? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 7, 2001, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-working-constitution-an-actual-document-we-add-on-to/92075 "2001-11-07T23:14:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Pacifix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/0ea827/32.png) [@Pacifix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pacifix)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-working-constitution-an-actual-document-we-add-on-to/92075/1 "2001-11-07T23:14:27Z")
Say we all get decide to pass an amendment, say to ban all of FOX except the Simpsons. It’s wildly popular - of course - and now comes the big day for it to become The Law of The Land™. Is there the Official Constitution somewhere that’s the end-all answer? Do we break out the sheepskin and fountain pens and add on to the original one (complete with funky esses)? ---
**Author:** ![Swede\_Hollow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@Swede\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swede_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-working-constitution-an-actual-document-we-add-on-to/92075/2 "2001-11-08T01:28:53Z")
There will be more knowledgeable people along shortly, but the short answer is…nope, each new amendment is on it’s own. The “original” Constitution is in a large vault in Washington, D.C. that is viewable by the [public](http://www.nara.gov/exhall/charters/). There are multiple copies that are signed of each new law and a formal copy is put into the U.S. archives. Many copies are then made to publicize the new ‘law of the land’. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-working-constitution-an-actual-document-we-add-on-to/92075/3 "2001-11-08T03:58:26Z")
We don’t write on the original physical documents of the constitution. Each amendment would be a legal document unto itself anyway. The originals are more historic and symbolic than legal anyway. If some nut shredded the original constitution and declaration of independance every right thinking American would want to stomp him until he was dead but it would have no impact on the content and force of the documents. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-working-constitution-an-actual-document-we-add-on-to/92075/4 "2001-11-08T23:21:23Z")
If we had only one “official” document, things could turn out too much like Animal Farm.