United States Constitution 26th Amendment

Amendment XXVI (1971)

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

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The United States Constitution 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, holds great significance as it granted citizens aged 18 and older the right to vote. Prior to its ratification, the voting age had been set at 21, leading to wide-spread debate and discontentment among the younger population who could be drafted to fight in the Vietnam War but were unable to participate in choosing their leadership. The amendment's passage reflected the growing societal recognition of the maturity and civic responsibilities of young adults, and emblemized the convergence of the civil rights movement and youth activism of the era. In essence, the 26th Amendment cemented the principle of "old enough to fight, old enough to vote," solidifying the democratic values of the United States.