The 26th Amendment
"Old Enough to Fight, Old Enough to Vote."
WWII to Vietnam
The debate over the voting age was long debated. It started during World War 2 and continued to increase through the Vietnam War since young men were being drafted into the war. Prior to these events Jennings Randolph , a Democratic Congressman, introduced legislation to lower the voting age to 18 in 1942. He believed that,
"They possess a great social conscience, are perplexed by the injustices in the world and are anxious to rectify those ills."
In 1943 Georgia lowered their voting age to 18, the first state to do so. In the 1950s Eisenhower voiced his support of lowering the voting age.
The California Teachers' Association and their actions.
1967
The California Teachers' Association created and passed a resolution supporting the 18 voting age. They received support from the National Education Association-Student Program and their Representative Assembly.
1969
The National Education Association started Project 18 and teamed up with several organizations including the YMCA. They created the Youth Franchise Coalition to lobby for this Constitutional amendment.
Students at colleges led marches, participated in peaceful protest, held small campaigns in states, and took part in letter writing campaigns. It was widely accepted during a time of social unrest.
Oregon vs. Mitchell
1970
Oregon, Texas, and Idaho brought the case to the Supreme Court against the U.S. and Attorney General to challenge the Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970.The Supreme Court ruled that Congress had the right to set the minimum age in federal elections but not at the state and local levels.
Amending the Constitution
March 23, 1971
The 26th Amendment was passed by Congress.
July 1, 1971
The amendment was ratified and signed into law by President Nixon.
The 26th Amendment
Section 1.
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. (If you want to vote and are at least 18, you have the right to vote. It can not be denied.)
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. (Congress will prevent any violations of the law.)
Problems today and Problems yesterday
It wasn't as much of a big deal back in 1971 because it made logical sense that if you were old enough to be drafted you were old enough to vote. Now, studies on the brain show that 18 year olds are as developed as 26 year olds, causing some unrest in the political scene. But would it be morally right to deny our right to vote?