Amendment 26 of 27 · 1971
Twenty-sixth Amendment
Voting at 18
The one-line version
If you are a U.S. citizen and 18 or older, no government can stop you from voting because of your age.
The Twenty-sixth Amendment in plain English
Section 1. The right of U.S. citizens age 18 or older to vote cannot be denied or limited by the federal government or any state because of age.
Section 2. Congress has the power to enforce this amendment by passing appropriate laws.
Original text, 1971
Section 1. 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.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Phrase by phrase
who are eighteen years of age or older
- Citizens who are 18 or older
to vote shall not be denied or abridged
- cannot have their right to vote taken away or limited
on account of age
- because of how old they are.
Picture it
Example. Not legal advice.
It is your 18th birthday. Along with the cake, you get a new right: you can vote in every election, from President to city council. Many states let you register before you turn 18. Some even let 17-year-olds vote in a primary if they will be 18 by the general election, so check your state's election website or vote.gov.
What this means for you
Voting at 18
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment set 18 as the voting age in every election: federal, state, and local. Before 1971, most states required voters to be 21. No government can now set a voting age higher than 18.
Younger voters in some places
The amendment does not stop states or cities from letting younger people vote. A few cities let 16- and 17-year-olds vote in city elections. Some states let 17-year-olds vote in a primary if they will be 18 by the general election.
Registering and voting
Registration deadlines, ID rules, and polling places are set by state law and differ widely. Many states let you register before you turn 18. Your state's election website or vote.gov can show you the rules.
If you are turned away
If you are 18 or older and told you cannot vote because of your age, ask to speak with an election official. You may be able to cast a provisional ballot, meaning a ballot counted later once your eligibility is checked. You can also call the Election Protection hotline at 866-687-8683.
Myth check
MythYou have to be 21 to vote in some states.
FactSince 1971, no state can set a voting age higher than 18 for any election.
MythThe amendment means no one under 18 can ever vote.
FactIt sets the highest age a government can require. A few cities, such as Takoma Park, Maryland, let 16- and 17-year-olds vote in city elections.
MythCollege students cannot vote where they go to school.
FactIn most states, students can choose to register at their school address or their home address. Rules differ, so check with your state's election office.
Common questions
What does the 26th Amendment say in simple terms?
If you are a U.S. citizen and 18 or older, no government can deny or limit your right to vote because of your age. It covers federal, state, and local elections. Congress can pass laws to enforce it.
Why is the voting age 18?
The 26th Amendment set it in 1971. During the Vietnam War, young men could be drafted at 18 but could not vote in most states until 21. Supporters used the slogan 'Old enough to fight, old enough to vote.'
Can you vote at 17?
In some cases. Some states let 17-year-olds vote in a primary if they will be 18 by the general election. Many states let you register before you turn 18. Your state's election website or vote.gov has the rules.
Can a city let 16-year-olds vote?
Yes. The 26th Amendment protects voters 18 and older. It does not ban a lower voting age. A few cities, such as Takoma Park, Maryland, let 16- and 17-year-olds vote in city elections.
When was the voting age lowered to 18?
On July 1, 1971, when the 26th Amendment was ratified. It took about three months and one week after Congress passed it, the fastest ratification of any amendment. Before then, most states required voters to be 21.
Can college students vote where they go to school?
Generally, yes. Students can usually choose to register at their school address or their home address. Rules differ by state, so check with your state's election office.
Go deeper
The scene · 1971
During the Vietnam War, young men could be drafted at 18, but most states did not let anyone vote until 21. Students and activists used the slogan "Old enough to fight, old enough to vote." A 1970 Supreme Court ruling left the voting age different for federal and state elections. Congress and the states then moved fast, and the amendment was ratified in about 100 days in 1971.
Back then
The draft age was 18, and the Vietnam War was deeply unpopular with many young people. Before 1971, only a few states let people under 21 vote. In Oregon v. Mitchell (1970), the Court said Congress could lower the voting age for federal elections but not for state ones. Running two sets of voter lists would have been costly and confusing.
Who argued what
Supporters
If 18-year-olds can be drafted, pay taxes, and be tried as adults, they should help choose the leaders who make those decisions.
Opponents
Some argued that voting age should be left to each state. Others argued that 21 was a better age for the judgment voting requires.
Key cases
- 1970
Oregon v. Mitchell
Congress could set the voting age at 18 for federal elections but not for state and local elections.
More history and context
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment was ratified on July 1, 1971. Its ratification was the fastest of any amendment, about three months and one week after Congress passed it.
The Vietnam War drove the change. Young men could be drafted at 18 but could not vote in most states until 21. The slogan "Old enough to fight, old enough to vote" summed up the argument.
The direct cause was Oregon v. Mitchell (1970). The Court held that Congress could set the voting age at 18 for federal elections, but not for state and local elections. That would have meant 18-year-olds could vote for President but not for governor in many states. The amendment set 18 as the voting age for all elections.
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