What is an amendment?

An amendment is specifically defined as a formal change or addition to a governing document, particularly a constitution. In the context of Idaho and U.S. law, amendments are used to alter, add, or repeal parts of the Constitution, allowing it to evolve and address new societal needs or correct past oversights.

The concept of an amendment encompasses the requirement for a deliberate and often rigorous process of proposal and ratification, which ensures that any change reflects a significant consensus among the governing bodies and the populace. This structural safeguard upholds the Constitution's integrity over time while allowing for necessary adjustments that respond to changes in the social, political, or legal landscapes.

The other options refer to different legal structures: a type of law pertains to the body of statutes enacted by the legislative branch, a court ruling is a decision made by a judicial authority, and a presidential decree refers to an executive order issued by the president. While all of these play vital roles in the governance, they do not carry the specific connotation or procedural significance associated with amendments.