26th Amendment

  • Period: to

    Post WWII

    Several states talked about lowering the voting age, but most got rejected. But this idea slowly started becoming more popular.
  • 1942:Lowered the Draft age to 18

    1942:Lowered the Draft age to 18

    Through the selective Training and Service Act they lowered the draft age from 21 to 18. In that same year the slogan "Old enough to fight, old enough to vote" started
  • Jennings Randolph introduces a bill

    Jennings Randolph introduces a bill

    Congressman Jennings Randolph introduces the first bill to lower the voting age to 18
  • Georgia lowers its voting age

    Georgia lowers its voting age

    Georgia becomes the first state to lower their voting age to 18
  • Period: to

    Esecalation of the Vietnam War

    as young men aged 18-20 were being drafted to war the argument of lowering the voting age grew and gained way more popularity and support.
  • President Nixon signs off on the Voting Rights Act Ammendments

    President Nixon signs off on the Voting Rights Act Ammendments

    This act included the Ammednment to lower the voting age to being 18
  • Oregon vs. Mitchell

    Oregon vs. Mitchell

    The Supreme Court rules congress can set age for federal elections but not for state or local elections.
  • Senate votes

    Senate votes

    The Senate votes 94-0 to propose the 26th Amendment
  • House of Representatives approves

    House of Representatives approves

    The House of Reps apporves the proppsoed amendment 401-19 and sends to the states for ratification
  • 3/4 of all states

    3/4 of all states

    The required 3/4 of all states have ratified the amendment making it officially adopted
  • Formal Certification Ceremony

    Formal Certification Ceremony

    They had their Formal Certifcation Ceremony at the White House, where President Nixonsigns the certified amendment Infront of 500 youth voters