THE TWENTY SIXTH AMENDMENT

Created by: Thomas, Victoria, Tatiana



1. When was the 26th amendment ratified?
The twenty sixth amendment was passed by congress March 23, 1971, and ratified July 1, 1971, during the Vietnam War.
American Flag
American Flag


2. Who did the idea come from to create the 26th amendment ratified?
The idea came from Oregon V. Mitchell; he decided that 18 years of age was a reasonable age to allow anybody over the age of 18 to vote.

3. Why did the age change from 21 to 18?
The age changed because, the men who were in the military thought that if they can die for their country, and they should be able to vote. The change of age happened in July 1972.
USA
USA


4. Why cant people under the age of 18 vote?
Children under the age of 18, can’t vote because, at 18 you are considered children and they aren’t responsible enough to vote.



5. What was the purpose of making this amendment?
This amendment was created because, people below the age of 18 do not know enough about politics, and would just vote for whoever they liked.

6. How many people wanted this amendment?
Between 1965 and 1973 millions of Americans and American soldiers voted for this law to be passed by congress and ratified to become an amendment.
Copy of the 26th Amendment
Copy of the 26th Amendment


7. What would be the argument of putting the voting age back to 21?
An argument would be that 18 year olds are too immature to vote.

8. How did the age affect the presidential election of 2008?
The age effected the election in 2008 because, 30% of people under the age of 30 voted for Obama, because he is younger than John McCain. Young voters feel that Obama has better qualities.

9. What issues do young voters worry about?

Issues that young voters are worried about are money, taxes, and economic problems, like gas prices. Many of the worries are like the worries that older voters deal with.

10. What percent of 18 year olds voted?
Only 18% of voters between the age of 18 and 25 voted in the 2008 election


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Article: Twenty Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution This article is about the twenty sixth amendment. This article talks about how the age to vote changes from 21 to 18. In the voting rights act of 1970 stated that in local elections that the voting age should be 18. But the previous age was 21 under state law. The supreme court held that congress could not change the voting age from 21 to 18. The men in the military have stated that if they were going to risk their lives for their country, they should have the right to vote. The supreme court decided to have an election to see if this idea could be passed as a amendment. Three fourths of the state voted for the age to change from 21 to 18. As a result of this decision, 18 year olds could vote. On March 23, 1971, congress proposed the twenty sixth amendment to the Constitution. Within 107 days, the amendment was ratified by congress. Having been ratified in the shortest period of time of any constitutional amendment in United States history.
By: Victoria Henshaw
Link: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/28/obama-kennedys-resonate-with-youth/





1/8/09
Cafferty File: Young people revved up for election?
Source: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com
Author: Jack Cafferty
Date: February 8, 2008
Summary:

Election Day, 3 million voters, who are under the age of 30, crowded the polls. The increase in young voters for the 2008 increased significantly from the 2000 and 2004 election. In Georgia the amount of young voters tripled, and in Tennessee the amount quadrupled. The most amazing turnout was in California, the turnout for voters under 30 was 840,000. In Missouri 75,000 young people voted for Barak Obama. Obama only won Missouri by 10,000 votes. Obama had also won the youth vote in 19 out of 22 states, Obama owes young voters a big thank you!
By: Thomas Puccini
Link:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/08/cafferty-file-young-people-revved-up-for-election/