The formal change to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age in federal and state elections to 18. Prior to its passage, the voting age was typically 21. For example, a citizen who turned 18 in 1970 would not have been eligible to vote in a presidential election, whereas after the ratification, an 18-year-old citizen was enfranchised.
This constitutional alteration addressed the perceived inequity of allowing young men to be drafted into military service during the Vietnam War while simultaneously denying them the right to vote for the leaders sending them into combat. It broadened the electorate and empowered a significant demographic group to participate directly in the democratic process. Historically, it reflects a shift towards greater inclusion and responsiveness to the concerns of younger citizens.
