Question

What is the significance of the 26th Amendment?

A) The eligible age for American citizens to vote became 18.
B) The legal drinking age became 21.
C) The age for American males to join Selective Services became 25.
D) The age to obtain a driver's license became 16.

Answer 1

The 26th Amendment is significant because it lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, allowing a younger demographic of American citizens to participate in elections. This amendment was a response to the activism of young people during the Vietnam War era who argued that if they were old enough to fight in the war, they should be able to vote.

Step-by-step explanation:

The 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution holds significant importance in American history because it lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 in both federal and state elections. Ratified in 1971, amid the Vietnam War, this amendment granted voting rights to millions of young Americans, recognizing that if they were old enough to be drafted into military service, they were also old enough to have a say in the country's leadership. It represents a historic expansion of suffrage and reflects the nation's acknowledgment of the maturity and capabilities of its young citizens.

Section 1 of the amendment clearly states, "The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen 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." This legal change came after significant activism by college students and other young people who felt disenfranchised by being able to serve in the war without having the right to vote.