Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18?

• A. The 15th Amendment
• B. The 19th Amendment
• C. The 22nd Amendment
• D. The 26th Amendment

Answer: (D)

The important idea here is how voting eligibility is established nationwide. The amendment that lowered the voting age to 18 did so by declaring that anyone 18 years or older may vote in federal and state elections. This change came in the early 1970s during debates over the Vietnam War, with the argument that if young people could be drafted, they should have a voice in elections affecting their futures. It also means states cannot deny the vote to someone 18 or older simply because of age. Other amendments address different issues—some expanded suffrage by prohibiting discrimination based on race or sex, and another set a presidential term limit—so they don’t relate to changing the voting age.