Building up to the 26th amendment
"Old enough to fight, old enough to vote" was a widely used slogan by young adults to lower the age of voting rights to 18. In World War II, there were not enough 21 year old men for the military draft. Because of this issue, President Roosevelt lowered the drafting age from 21 to 18. However, the minimum voting age was still 21 which angered many Americans between the ages of 18 to 21. After leading the Allied forces to victory in Europe, President Eisenhower announced his support for the right of 18 year olds to vote. Congress still did not take action to resolve this issue.
The Vietnam War in 1960 was a costly war for the United States. Again, the military draft included 18 year olds. Why should 18 year olds fight in the army, yet not be able to vote? Crowds formed outside Congress to persuade Congress to lower the minimum voting age. Finally, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which lowered the minimum voting age for local, state, and federal elections to 18. President Nixon signed the act, but he said "Although I strongly favor the 18-year-old vote, I believe --along with most of the Nation's leading constitutional scholars--that Congress has no power to enact it by simple statute, but it rather requires a constitutional amendment." On March 10, 1971, The Senate and House overwhelmingly voted for the passage of the new amendment. In two months, enough states had ratified the amendment and Nixon eagerly signed the bill. The 26th Amendment was born.
The Vietnam War in 1960 was a costly war for the United States. Again, the military draft included 18 year olds. Why should 18 year olds fight in the army, yet not be able to vote? Crowds formed outside Congress to persuade Congress to lower the minimum voting age. Finally, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which lowered the minimum voting age for local, state, and federal elections to 18. President Nixon signed the act, but he said "Although I strongly favor the 18-year-old vote, I believe --along with most of the Nation's leading constitutional scholars--that Congress has no power to enact it by simple statute, but it rather requires a constitutional amendment." On March 10, 1971, The Senate and House overwhelmingly voted for the passage of the new amendment. In two months, enough states had ratified the amendment and Nixon eagerly signed the bill. The 26th Amendment was born.