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Voting as a new country
We announced our independence from Britain. What voting looks like in a new country is that women could not vote until they could own and they couldn't own land, but the ones who could were typically white makes who could vote and own land, typically over the age of 21. -
The first time the constitution states of voting age.
Sec. 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment established protections for the right to vote, especially for the male inhabitants of the states. being 21 years of age and citizens of the US. -
Drafting age was lowered to 18 during WWII
During WWII, 18 and 19-year-olds were made liable for induction on November 13, 1942. "Old enough to fight, old enough to vote" was a widespread slogan -
Vietnam war starts and drafting begins again
Anti-war protests were widespread as thousands of 18-year-old citizens were drafted and died for their country. "Old enough to fight, old enough to vote" was again adopted by student activists. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
When Congress enacted the Voting Rights Act of 1965, it was to prevent racial discrimination in voting that had been more prevalent in certain areas of the country. It did not address the issue of 18-year-olds being unable to vote. -
Oregon v. Mitchell
The Supreme Court ruled in the favor of Oregon that congress had authority to lower the voting age in federal elections, but lacked power to do so for state and local elections. -
Extending the voting rights act of 1965
Congress controversially lowered the voting ace to 18, while extending the Voting Rights Act of 1965. -
Proposed by Congress
Support for the 26th Amendment was nearly unanimous. It was passed with bipartisan support, passing in the Senate with a vote of 94–0, and passing in the House of Representatives with a vote of 401–19. -
North Carolina ratified this amendment
Nixon says it was Ohio, but it was North Carolina. The 26th Amendment was approved by 38 States in less than 100 days, making it the fastest constitutional amendment to be ratified in United States history. -
Ceremonial signing
A 500-member choral group, Young Americans in Concert, President Richard Nixon signed the certified amendment with three other adults that are 18 years old.