-
During World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted to reduce the draft age from 21 to 18. He wanted the draft age reduced in order to strengthen troop support during the war. According to History.com, "On November 11, 1942, Congress approves lowering the draft age to 18 and raising the upper limit to age 37." This move would later lead to debates over what age you should have to be in order to vote in America. -
During Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1954 State of the Union address, he publicly supported lowering the voting age. In his address he stated, "For years our citizens between the ages of 18 and 21 have, in time of peril, been summoned to fight for America. They should participate in the political process that produces this fateful summons. I urge Congress to propose to the States a constitutional amendment permitting citizens to vote when they reach the age of 18." -
Former West Virginia Congressman Jennings Randolph is elected to the U.S. Senate on November 4, 1958. Jennings would play a crucial role in getting the 26th Amendment ratified. Years before in February of 1943 he also stated, "If you're old enough to fight and give your life for this country, then you are old enough to vote for its leaders." -
A year before the 26th Amendment was ratified, Congress tried to lower the voting age when it amended the Voting Rights Act of 1965. President Nixon signed, but also added that the Voting Rights Act could be challenged on constitutional grounds. Oregon and Texas decided to fight the Voting Right Act. The Supreme court looked at "Oregon v. Mitchell" and in their 5-4 ruling decided that, "Congress could mandate the 18-year-old voting age in federal elections, but not state and local elections." -
Constitution annotated states, "On January 25, 1971, Senator Jennings Randolph introduced S.J. Res. 7, a proposed constitutional amendment to lower the voting age to 18, in the 92nd Congress." This was the 11th time Jennings had introduced something like this. It took less than two months for the committee to report the joint resolution favorably. They talked about how it would be similar to the 15th and 19th amendments because it would expand voting rights. -
Constitution annotated states, "On January 29, 1971, Representative Emanuel Celler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced a nearly identical joint resolution, H.J. Res. 223, in the House of Representatives." They brought up many arguments used by the Senate when they did their proposal. The House Judiciary Committee also referred to the amendment as, "part of a constitutional tradition of enlarging participation in [the nation’s] political processes." -
While the Senate was thinking over passing the 26th Amendment, they would conclude many things. Firstly, they believed that 18 to 20 year-olds were mature enough to vote and already had adult responsibilities that qualified them to vote. The Senate also found that by passing the 26th Amendment there would be no more confusion in regards to the Oregon v. Mitchell ruling. As a result of their findings, on March 10, 1971, the Senate would pass the Amendment in a 94-0 vote. -
Constitution Annotated states, "The proposed amendment would allow young adult citizens in all of the states to vote in state and local elections and thereby express their views on matters particularly relevant to their lives, such as education." Due to factors like this the house would pass the 26th Amendemt in a 401-19 vote. Soon after this the Amendment was sent to the states for ratification. -
The 26th Amendment was ratified on July 1, 1971. It stated, "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." Now all 18 years or older citizens could vote. North Carolina is recognized by the National Archives and the Library of Congress the 38th state to ratify the amendment. This was the fastest ratification process for any U.S. amendment in American history. -
During a ceremony at the White House, President Richard Nixon officially signed the "Certificate of Amendment" letting U.S. citizens know that the 26th Amendment had been passed and ratified. 11 million new voters ages 18 to 20 now had the right to vote thanks to the stroke of Nixon's pen. -
Ella Mae Thompson Haddix was the first 18 year old American to register to vote. She registered in Randolph County West Virginia. When she registered she was accompanied by U.S. Senator Jennings Randolph. The same Senator who pushed for the voting age to be lowered. Ella registered as a Republican.