The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which sought to guarantee equal rights for women, was introduced in 1923 but not submitted for ratification until 1972. It was ultimately ratified by 35 states (although five of these later voted to rescind their ratifications) before its last deadline for expiry in 1982. Two states have subsequently ratified it, with Virginia now poised to become the 38th state to do so. It remains unclear whether post-deadline ratifications can be valid, and whether states have the authority to rescind their previous ratifications.