Get Out the Vote!

Tomorrow, voters will head to the polls in several states for primary elections. Prior to 1971, Americans under the age of 21 could not vote. 

The movement to lower the voting age began with student activism tied to the Vietnam War. On June 22, 1970, President Nixon signed an extension on the Voting Rights Act. However, Oregon and Texas challenged the law, and this required the Constitution to be amended. 

The 26th Amendment prohibits state and federal governments from denying US citizens, 18 years or older, the right to vote because of their age.