26th Amendment - Voting age lowered to 18 years old
Richard Nixon was the 37th President of the United States whose presidency spanned from January 20, 1969 to August 9, 1974. One of the key events during his presidency was the ratification of the 26th Amendment to the Constitution.

Amendments 11 - 27

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Cause and Reason for the 26th Amendment
The cause or reason for this addition to the Constitution was the situation that arose from the Vietnam War. 18 year-old Americans could be drafted into the armed forces and forced to fight in the Vietnam War. But these same young men did not have the right to vote. The movement against the involvement of the US in the Vietnam War began with demonstrations in 1964. Anti-war protesters included mothers, students and hippies who adhered to the principles of love and peace. Anti-war demonstrations increased fuelled by terrible images in the media and the numbers of Americans killed and injured in a war being fought on the opposite side of the world. Students demonstrated in great numbers. It was time for change. Direct U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War ended on 15 August 1973, two years after 18 year olds received the right to vote.

26th Amendment Meaning, Explanation and Summary
The meaning of the words and phrases in the 26th Amendment of the Constitution are explained as follows:

26th Amendment: Meaning of the Words of the Amendment

Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

Explanation & Meaning: 18-year-olds have the right to vote

The meaning of the word 'abridged' in this section means reduced. So neither the US government, nor individual states, can deny US citizens the right to vote based on age.

Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Meaning: Congress has the power to make laws to enforce this amendment

26th Amendment: Meaning of the Words of the Twenty-sixth Amendment

Amendments 11 - 27

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27th Amendment

26th Amendment Text - The Twenty-sixth Amendment
The original full text of the 26th Amendment of the Constitution is as follows. Note: Amendment 14, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 1 of the 26th amendment.

26th Amendment Text

Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

26th Amendment - Video of the Presidency of Richard Nixon
The above information provides the text, definition and summary of the amendment. The following Richard Nixon video will give you additional important facts and dates about both the personal life and political life of the 37th President of the United States whose presidency spanned from January 20, 1969 to August 9, 1974.