Voting age explained! (the 26th amendment)

#government #civics #constitution #shorts

The 26th Amendment is a constitutional amendment to the United States Constitution that was ratified on July 1, 1971. It is also known as the "Youth Voting Rights Amendment" and addresses the issue of the minimum voting age in federal, state, and local elections.

The 26th Amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years old. It was a response to the widespread opposition to the Vietnam War and the argument that if 18-year-olds were being drafted into the military and could fight and die for their country, they should also have the right to vote.

The amendment states: "The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age."

The 26th Amendment was quickly ratified after its proposal, making it one of the fastest amendments to be adopted. It enshrines the principle of equal voting rights for all citizens, regardless of their age, and has had a significant impact on increasing youth participation in the electoral process in the United States.

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