Essay 30-A: The Twenty-Sixth Amendment and The People
As a soldier who was 20 years old in 1967 in Vietnam, I have always believed that if a man is old enough to wear the uniform, carry a rifle, and risk his life for his country, then he ought to be old enough to vote for the people sending him into harm’s way. The Twenty-Sixth Amendment, ratified in 1971, was such an important step in strengthening our republic and the principle of “Consent of the governed.” By lowering the voting age from 21 to 18, America finally recognized that young adults who carried real responsibilities also deserved a voice in the government.
The Vietnam War played a major role in bringing about this change. During those years, millions of young men between 18 and 20 were drafted into the military. Many were sent overseas to fight, and some never came home. These young Americans were asked to make the ultimate sacrifice, yet they were not allowed to vote for the leaders making those decisions. That never sat right with a lot of soldiers at the time. The phrase “old enough to fight, old enough to vote” became more than just a slogan. It became a matter of fairness and common sense.
