What It Means
Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.
Historical Context
Driven by the Vietnam War — "old enough to fight, old enough to vote."
Original Text
“The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged...”
- Amendment Number
- 26 of 27
- Ratified
- 1971
- Category
- Modern
Other Modern Amendments
Amendment 111795
Suits Against States
Amendment 121804
Election of President and Vice President
Amendment 201933
Presidential Terms and Succession
Amendment 211933
Repeal of Prohibition
Amendment 221951
Presidential Term Limits
Amendment 231961
D.C. Electoral Votes
Amendment 241964
Abolition of Poll Taxes
Amendment 251967
Presidential Succession and Disability
Amendment 271992
Congressional Pay