18-year-olds in Voting

What proof shows that this is important?

An organization called the "League of Young Voters" is proof that the 26th amendment is important. The organization empowers young people nationwide to participate in the democratic process and create political change on the local, state and national level.

Requirements for a Soldier and a Voter

In 1967 New York Times said that the requirements for a good soldier and a voter weren't the same. They argued that to be a soldier you have to be young and strong but to be a voter, you have to be mature and have good judgment. Many people agreed with this, but a growing youth movement chipped away at that view.

How were 18-year-olds given the right to vote?

In World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt lowered the minimum age for the military draft to 18. A military draft happens when more troops are required than the volunteer military can supply, so the selective service calls up registered men to be in the military. "Old enough to fight, old enough to vote" became a common slogan for a youth voting rights movement. In 1943 Georgia became the first state to lower its voting age in state and local elections from 21 to 18. Jennings Randolph, a Democratic congressman from West Virginia, introduced federal legislation to lower the voting age in 1942; it was the first of 11 times that Randolph, would introduce this bill in Congress. He believed that young people possess "a great social conscience and are perplexed by the injustices in the world and are anxious to rectify those ills."In the 1960s, during the Vietnam War, lowering the national voting age became a controversial topic. Youth voting rights activists held marches and demonstrations. Responding to arguments that those old enough to be drafted for military service, should be able to vote, Congress lowered the voting age in federal, state, and local elections as part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Though President Richard Nixon signed the bill into law, he issued a public statement declaring that he believed the provision to be unconstitutional.

The Election of 1972

In the 1972 election, George McGovern represented the Democratic Party, and representing the Republican Party was Richard Nixon. Young voters were expected to vote for McGovern because he was against the Vietnam War. However, Richard Nixon won the presidential election.

Election Differences

In the 1972 election, about 55% of voters were from 18-21 years old. In the 1988 election, about 36% of voters were from 18-21 years old.

Election Results of 2008

In the 2008 election, about 49% of voters were from 18-21 years old.

Supreme Court Case

Oregon, Texas, and Idaho sued the Supreme Court against the United States and Attorney General John Mitchell to challenge the Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1965. They claimed that only the States, and not Congress, have the authority to establish qualification rules for voters in State and local elections. This case affected voting rights for 18-20 year olds, because now, Congress does not have authority to lower voting age in state and local elections.

What does it say?

Section 1 of the 26th amendment says 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 any state on account of age." Section 2 says "The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation." This means that the voting age was changed from 21 to 18.

What does the "League of Young Voters" do?

The "League of Young Voters" does things including •Engaging young people who have been shut out of the political process •Training them to start leagues in their own communities •Building multi-racial, multi-issue alliances •Lobbying at the local, state, and national level •Ensuring that elected officials are doing the right thing

No more troops, Nixon!

The war continued until Congress took away Nixon's authority to send more troops to Vietnam. The U.S. pulled out of the war.

Who can they vote for?

Under the 26th amendment, 18- to 20-year-olds are eligible to vote for president and vice president, but not for state officials up for election at the same time. It was passed March 23, 1971, and ratified on July 01, 1971.