Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18?

Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18?

• A. The Nineteenth Amendment
• B. The Twenty-Sixth Amendment
• C. The Fifteenth Amendment
• D. The Twenty-Fourth Amendment

Answer: (B)

Constitutional voting rules can be changed only by an amendment, and this one specifically sets the minimum voting age at 18 for all elections, preventing states from denying the vote to citizens 18 and older because of their age. It was ratified in 1971, driven by the argument that if someone can be drafted for military service at 18, they should also have a say in choosing their leaders. This amendment ensures that the right to vote cannot be denied or abridged on account of age for those who are 18 or older. Other amendments listed expanded who can vote for other reasons—granting women the vote, prohibiting racial discrimination in voting, and eliminating poll taxes—while not altering the age threshold.

Constitutional voting rules can be changed only by an amendment, and this one specifically sets the minimum voting age at 18 for all elections, preventing states from denying the vote to citizens 18 and older because of their age. It was ratified in 1971, driven by the argument that if someone can be drafted for military service at 18, they should also have a say in choosing their leaders. This amendment ensures that the right to vote cannot be denied or abridged on account of age for those who are 18 or older.

Other amendments listed expanded who can vote for other reasons—granting women the vote, prohibiting racial discrimination in voting, and eliminating poll taxes—while not altering the age threshold.