What did the 26th Amendment accomplish?

The 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1971 and specifically lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years. This change was a response to widespread advocacy for youth participation in the democratic process, particularly in the context of the Vietnam War, where those who were old enough to be drafted for military service should also have the right to vote.

The rationale behind lowering the voting age was that if 18-year-olds could be required to fight for their country, they should also have a say in the political decisions that affected their lives. By establishing this legal age for voting, the amendment significantly expanded the electorate and aimed to encourage civic engagement among younger citizens.