Final answer:
The correct answer is option 1. The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted all citizens aged 18 and older the right to vote in all state and local elections. It was ratified on July 1, 1971, in part as a response to the fact that 18-year-olds could be drafted to fight in the Vietnam War but were unable to vote.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amendment that granted all citizens aged 18 and older the right to vote in all state and local elections is the 26th Amendment. This important change was made in response to the involvement of young Americans in the Vietnam War, acknowledging that those old enough to be drafted and fight for their country should also have the right to vote.
The 26th Amendment
The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reads: "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 amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, thus allowing a greater number of citizens to participate in the democratic process. It was ratified on July 1, 1971, during a time when young Americans were advocating for the right to vote, especially in light of the military draft that affected 18-year-olds.
Historical Context of the 26th Amendment
Prior to the ratification of the 26th Amendment, several amendments and acts such as the 15th, 19th, 23rd, and 24th Amendments expanded suffrage by eliminating barriers based on race, gender, and in this final case, age. The right to vote has been a hard-won battle for various groups throughout U.S. history, and the 26th Amendment is reflective of the country's ongoing efforts to ensure that all citizens have the ability to exercise their democratic rights.