Malcolm Rivera
The youth vote in the United States was expanded with the ratification of the 26th Amendment to the Constitution on July 1, 1971. This amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, extending voting rights to all Americans aged 18 and older. The road to achieving this milestone was long and marked by activism and legislative debates. The movement gained momentum in the 1960s, fuelled by young people's opposition to the Vietnam War and their increasing involvement in civil rights and social justice causes. Despite facing opposition and legal challenges, the 26th Amendment stands as a testament to the power of youth activism and their commitment to democratic participation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Amendment | 26th Amendment |
| Date of Ratification | 1 July 1971 |
| Voting Age Before Amendment | 21 |
| Voting Age After Amendment | 18 |
| Voting Age Reduction Slogan | "Old enough to fight, old enough to vote" |
| States Refusing to Lower Voting Age | 17 |
| Youth Voter Turnout in 1972 Presidential Election | 55.4% |
| Youth Voter Turnout in 1996 Elections | 37% |
| Youth Voter Turnout in 2020 Elections | 55% |
Explore related products
The 26th Amendment
The Twenty-sixth Amendment, or the 26th Amendment, to the United States Constitution was ratified on July 1, 1971, and lowered the voting age for all Americans to 18 years, from 21 years previously. The Amendment was proposed by Congress on March 23, 1971, and three-quarters of the states ratified it within three months. 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 drive to lower the voting age began during World War II, when the minimum age to be drafted into the U.S. Military was lowered to 18. This discrepancy between the voting age and the draft age led to the slogan "old enough to fight, old enough to vote", which became a rallying cry for a youth voting rights movement. In 1943, Georgia became the first state to lower the voting age to 18 in state and local elections, although this was only for white youth due to the state's Jim Crow laws. In 1955, Kentucky followed suit.
In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first president to publicly support lowering the voting age, using his State of the Union address to call upon Congress to propose a constitutional amendment. Despite this, there was still no progress at the federal level, and it wasn't until the Vietnam War in the 1960s that the movement gained widespread public support. The increasing public opposition to the war, coupled with the rising number of young Americans graduating from high school and engaging in political and social activism, led to renewed debates over lowering the voting age.
In 1970, Senator Ted Kennedy proposed amending the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to lower the voting age nationally. This was signed by President Richard Nixon, who expressed misgivings about its constitutionality. The law was subsequently challenged in the Supreme Court case of Oregon v. Mitchell, where it was determined that Congress could lower the voting age for federal elections, but not for state elections. This confusion led to the quick proposal and ratification of the Twenty-sixth Amendment, which standardised the voting age across all levels of government.
Social Movements: Constitutionally Motivated and Supported
You may want to see also
Youth activism
The youth activism movement for voting rights emerged in response to the discrepancy between the draft age and the voting age. During World War II, the minimum age to be drafted into the U.S. military was lowered from 21 to 18, sparking a debate about the voting age. The slogan "old enough to fight, old enough to vote" became a rallying cry for young activists, who argued that if they were old enough to risk their lives for their country, they should also have a say in its governance.
This movement gained further momentum during the Vietnam War in the 1960s, as young men were being conscripted to fight in a conflict that they had no political authority to influence. The increasing public opposition to the war and the growing number of young people engaging in political and social activism led to a renewed push for lowering the voting age.
The youth activism movement found support from various politicians, activists, and civic organizations. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower used his State of the Union address to call upon Congress to propose a constitutional amendment lowering the voting age to 18. This was followed by legislative efforts in the 1960s and 1970, with Senator Ted Kennedy proposing an amendment to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to lower the voting age nationally.
The youth activists themselves played a crucial role in advocating for their voting rights. They were supported by activist groups such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and trade and education unions, who collaborated on campaigns to educate youth about their voting rights. The passage of the 26th Amendment is a testament to the power of youth activism and their commitment to democracy.
Despite the expansion of voting rights with the 26th Amendment, challenges remain in ensuring that young voters are prepared and empowered to participate in the democratic process. Nonprofits and civic organizations continue to play a vital role in engaging and educating young voters, with research showing that their efforts can significantly increase youth voter turnout and active participation in elections.
Who Drafted the Constitution? George Mason's Role
You may want to see also
Legislative history
The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, was ratified on July 1, 1971. The Amendment was passed by Congress, ratified by state legislatures, and signed by President Richard Nixon. The legislative history of the 26th Amendment spans several decades and was driven by youth activists and their allies.
The push to lower the voting age began in the 1940s, with the first proposals being endorsed by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. In 1942, during World War II, Congress lowered the minimum draft age to 18, sparking a debate about the voting age as young men were being sent to fight for their country without a say in the government's decision to go to war. This led to the slogan "old enough to fight, old enough to vote," which became a rallying cry for the youth voting rights movement.
In 1943, Georgia became the first state to lower the voting age to 18 in state and local elections, although this was limited to white youth due to the implementation of Jim Crow laws. The movement to lower the voting age gained momentum in the 1950s, with increasing public support from political leaders and civic organizations. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower expressed his support for lowering the voting age during his State of the Union address.
In the 1960s, the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement intensified the push for lowering the voting age. Young men were being drafted to fight in Vietnam at the age of 18 but were not allowed to vote until the age of 21. This discrepancy led to a youth rights movement, with young people advocating for social and political change. In 1965, the Voting Rights Act was passed, and Congress voted to add an amendment to lower the voting age to 18 in federal, state, and local elections nationwide.
However, this amendment was later struck down in the 1970 Supreme Court case Oregon v. Mitchell, where it was determined that Congress could only lower the voting age for federal elections. In response, an amendment to lower the voting age for all levels of government was proposed and passed by both chambers of Congress in March 1971. The amendment was quickly ratified by three-quarters of the states (38 states) and officially went into effect on July 1, 1971, as the 26th Amendment to the Constitution.
Military Tribunals: Constitutionality and Legality Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Voting trends
In the decades preceding the 26th Amendment, various factors influenced voting trends among young people. During World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, young men aged 18 and above were drafted to serve in the military, fighting and dying for their nation. This discrepancy between the draft age and the voting age gave rise to the slogan, "old enough to fight, old enough to vote," reflecting a growing youth voting rights movement.
Despite the momentum, progress towards lowering the voting age varied across states. In 1943, Georgia became the first state to lower the voting age to 18, but this was limited to white youth due to the enforcement of Jim Crow laws. It wasn't until the 1960s, with growing opposition to the Vietnam War and a heightened youth activism in civil rights and social justice movements, that the push for a nationwide voting age reduction gained widespread support.
The enactment of the 26th Amendment in 1971 marked a significant shift in voting trends among young people. This amendment guaranteed the right to vote for all Americans aged 18 and older, regardless of state laws. While this expansion of voting rights was a milestone, it did not automatically translate into high youth voter turnout. Young voters often face unique obstacles to voting, resulting in lower turnout rates compared to older voters, especially in midterm, state, and local elections.
However, in recent years, there has been a notable increase in youth voter participation. The 1972 presidential election saw a record 55.4% turnout of young voters aged 18-29. The 2020 election also demonstrated a high level of engagement, with a 55% turnout rate among young voters aged 18-29. Nonprofit organizations have played a crucial role in engaging young voters, with research showing that voters contacted by nonprofits are more likely to vote.
Legal Disclaimer: No Attorney-Client Relationship or Advice
You may want to see also
Barriers to voting
The 26th Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified on July 1, 1971, lowered the national voting age to 18. This was a significant expansion of the youth vote, as previously only those 21 and older had been allowed to vote. The amendment was the culmination of a decades-long youth voting rights movement, which gained momentum during times of war, with the slogan "old enough to fight, old enough to vote". Despite this important constitutional change, young voters continue to face barriers to voting, resulting in lower turnout compared to older voters.
Young people face a range of structural, informational, and motivational barriers to voting. Some of these are outlined below:
- Restrictive policies and lack of preparation: The voting process is often designed to make it harder for young people to vote, with restrictive policies specifically targeting them. For example, no systematic changes were implemented to prepare young people to participate in democracy as soon as they became eligible to vote at 18.
- Lack of information and support: Many young people lack information about voting and face problems with voter registration. More than 1 in 10 youth reported not knowing how to register or having issues with registration forms. Additionally, some youth feel ignored by political campaigns or lack support to vote.
- Time constraints: Nearly a third of young people reported being too busy or missing the registration deadline.
- Financial instability: There is a link between financial situation and voter turnout, with financially stable youth more likely to vote. Economic difficulties can create a sense of disconnection from political homes, contributing to disinterest in elections.
- Mental health struggles: Mental health challenges can also serve as a barrier to voting, impacting young people's motivation and ability to engage in the voting process.
- Different issue priorities: Young people are concerned about a wide range of issues, but they often feel that political campaigns do not address their priorities, leading to dissatisfaction with candidates.
Running Red Lights in Virginia: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The youth vote was expanded in the US Constitution through the 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years old. This amendment was ratified on July 1, 1971, and it states that "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 by any State on account of age."
The expansion of the youth vote was a result of a decades-long youth voting rights movement that gained momentum in the 1960s. The movement was driven by young people's opposition to the Vietnam War, their role in the civil rights movement, and their increasing political and social activism. The slogan "old enough to fight, old enough to vote" became a rallying cry for the movement, as many felt that if someone was old enough to serve in the military, they should be able to vote.
The expansion of the youth vote led to an increase in youth voter turnout and participation. The 1972 presidential election saw a record 55.4% turnout among young voters aged 18-29. However, in subsequent years, youth engagement and turnout declined, with the youth vote reaching an all-time low of 37% in 1996. Nonprofits and civic organizations have played a crucial role in engaging and educating young voters, with research showing that voters contacted by nonprofits are more likely to vote and be from underrepresented groups.
