Twenty-Sixth Amendment
Definition
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. It was ratified in response to Vietnam War-era protests that argued those old enough to be drafted for military service should be able to exercise the right to vote.
Analogy
Think of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment like a theme park's height requirement for a roller coaster ride. Just as parks lower their height requirements so more people can enjoy the rides, this amendment lowered the voting age, allowing more citizens (specifically younger ones) to participate in elections.
Related terms
Voting Rights Act of 1965: This landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States prohibited racial discrimination in voting, ensuring all citizens had equal rights at polls.
Seventeenth Amendment: This amendment established direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote, replacing previous system where they were chosen by state legislatures.
Fifteenth Amendment: This amendment granted African American men the right to vote by declaring that "the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."
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Practice Questions (9)
Which event led directly to the passage of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment, lowering the voting age to 18?
How did the Twenty-sixth Amendment's granting of voting rights to citizens aged 18-20 impact modern voter turnout?
What was a significant societal effect following the ratification of the Twenty-Sixth amendment?
How does the Twenty-sixth Amendment impact future politicians in terms of mobilizing younger voters for elections?
What was a common theme in the adoption of both the Nineteenth and Twenty-sixth Amendments?
How did the Twenty-Sixth Amendment impact political campaigns today?
What was one major outcome following ratification of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment?
What impact did the ratification of the Twenty-sixth Amendment have on presidential elections?
Who were granted voting rights by the Twenty-sixth Amendment?
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