Lesson 24 of 84 · The Constitution
⭐ 30 XP🏛️ Civic SquareThe 26th Amendment: Voting Age to 18
The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age to 18 years.
🎯 Your mission
Decide what YOU would do in their shoes.
⚡ The twist
A 'fair rule' for one group can be unfair for another.
Mind = Blown
🤯 Women in New Zealand could vote 27 years before women in the US.
Then & Now
🏛️ The rule you'll meet today is still on the books — sort of.
The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age to 18 years. This change recognized that young adults, who could be drafted to serve in the military, should also have the right to vote on the issues affecting their lives. The amendment was influenced by the activism of students and young people during the Vietnam War era, who argued that if they were old enough to fight for their country, they were old enough to have a say in their government. The passage of the 26th Amendment ensured that younger voices were included in the democratic process.
Key Facts
The 26th Amendment was ratified in 1971.
It lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.
The amendment was influenced by young people's activism during the Vietnam War.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2What did the 26th Amendment change?
Why this still matters
Your school has rules. Where do they come from? Who decides them?
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Make up a fair rule for your family. Pitch it.
For the dinner table
“What's one rule at our house you'd change if you could vote on it?”
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