Which amendment expanded voting rights to 18-year-olds?

Which amendment expanded voting rights to 18-year-olds?

• A. The 24th Amendment
• B. The 26th Amendment
• C. The 19th Amendment
• D. The 15th Amendment

Answer: (B)

The amendment that expanded voting rights to 18-year-olds is the 26th Amendment. Ratified in 1971, this amendment was significant because it lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. The context for this change stemmed from societal shifts during the 1960s, particularly as young Americans were being drafted to serve in the Vietnam War, leading to the argument that if they were old enough to fight for their country, they should also be able to vote. This amendment reflects the broader trend of increasing democratic participation by ensuring that younger citizens could have a say in the electoral process. In contrast, the 24th Amendment addresses the prohibition of poll taxes in federal elections, the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, and the 15th Amendment established that the right to vote could not be denied based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Each of these amendments plays a crucial role in the history of voting rights in the United States, but it is the 26th Amendment specifically that recognizes the voting rights of those 18 years and older.

The amendment that expanded voting rights to 18-year-olds is the 26th Amendment. Ratified in 1971, this amendment was significant because it lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. The context for this change stemmed from societal shifts during the 1960s, particularly as young Americans were being drafted to serve in the Vietnam War, leading to the argument that if they were old enough to fight for their country, they should also be able to vote. This amendment reflects the broader trend of increasing democratic participation by ensuring that younger citizens could have a say in the electoral process.

In contrast, the 24th Amendment addresses the prohibition of poll taxes in federal elections, the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, and the 15th Amendment established that the right to vote could not be denied based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Each of these amendments plays a crucial role in the history of voting rights in the United States, but it is the 26th Amendment specifically that recognizes the voting rights of those 18 years and older.