Persuasive Essay On The 26th Amendment

Voting has not always been as easy as it is today. It is interesting to examine how far America has progressed in its process of allowing different types of people to be able to vote. Voting was once aimed at a particular group of people, which were white males that owned their own property. Today, most people over the age of eighteen can vote, except for the mentally incompetent or people who have been convicted of major felonies in some states. The decline of voter participation has always been a debate in the public arena. According to McDonald and Popkin, it is “the most important, most familiar, most analyzed, and most conjectured trend in recent American political history (2001, 963)” The question is, how important is voter

The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States is perhaps the most sweeping and has likely impacted the general jurisprudence of the Supreme Court the most of any other amendment. This is because, where all other right-protecting amendments protect something specific, the fourteenth amendment was designed to ensure that states guaranteed due process rights, applied the law equally, and protected the “privileges [and] immunities of citizens of the United States.”

Safety over rights or rights over safety is the question that the proposed 28th amendment makes U.S. citizens question. Michael Moore’s proposal is a contemporary approach on gun control in current day 2017 where fears of terrorism and mass shootings are relevant. Despite Moore’s new proposals Arizona citizens will better benefit by voting no on the proposed 28th amendment. This amendment will heavily affect Arizona as a limited constitutional carry state because it will not provide necessary help for times of need and will limit and infringe upon the rights assured by the second amendment.

Why were people wanting the voting age lowered? One main reason was because it was allowing millions of young people to participate actively in the Democratic process. Another main reason was to have a powerful voice because they were never getting heard. People also wanted it to be lowered because the new generation would have to run the future and have the next generation not letting them being able to vote could be the government in a hole that we dug so deep their would be no way of fixing it. Lastly, it paved way for the future generations and for their voice to heard also.

This article by the New York Times talked about the 26th Amendment, what fueled its ratifications, and the effect it had on society following it passing. The article starts out by setting up the background to before the amendment's ratification, showing how during the Vietnam War in the 1960s soldiers were being sent off to fight in a war but were still too young to vote. This bizarre fact stirred much dissent from the young population of the time, who went on to protest and push for this to be changed. The article then talks about through the protests, the proposal for this amendment quickly was passed, the fastest that any amendment has been ratified then or since. At the end of the article, however, the article shows that this amendment

The 26th Amendment granted 18 year-olds the right to vote and since then there has not been much voters. It is said that 18 year-olds typically go to the polls in smaller numbers than their elders, so how would decreasing the voting age to even younger people really make a difference. Fred Schults

This most recent presidential election has been interesting as heads quickly turn at the name of Trump and Clinton. More significantly so, young people of voting age have lately been more politically engaged. Until July 12, 2016 when Senator Sanders dropped out of the race, Bernie Sanders had dominated the youth vote—winning more than eighty percent of votes of voters under age thirty. In fact, Sanders has garnered more votes among the youth than the two presumptive major-party presidential nominees

The 26th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified in 1971, giving eight-teen year olds the right to vote. Forty four years later the voting age still remains set at eight-teen but is it time for a change?

In our world, there are many social issues to discuss about that affect the way we live our lives. One particular issue that’s significant is the voter turnout of young people during the 2014 mid-term election. So my question is why do young people not vote as much as the old? Well I checked my sources and I discovered some intriguing facts. During the mid-term election, voter turnout was the worst ever since World War 2. It was rather disappointing and pathetic for the youth of America. People between the ages of 18-29 represented only 13 percent of the votes. On the other hand, the old were much better as people between 45-64 represented about 43 percent. Another interesting statistic is that

“Voting is such a poll that could be an ideal way to stimulate real debate about young people's engagement in politics.” (Fact). This quote allows young voters to see how effective voting is for EVERYONE! Why is the voting age 18? “In 1971 the 26th amendment to the U.S Constitution lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.” How come we can’t make a difference and reduce the voting age? In the constitution, it is stated that everyone is treated equally regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, and etc. As citizens we have the right to vote, however we are denied this right just because of our age? The voting age should be lowered to 16 because the youth along with politics will be benefited greatly, they are willing and responsible

American citizens this year have the privilege to vote for a new president who will serve as representative of the nation. Historically, young voters have always voted less during elections than the older population. (Brennan & Cook, 2015) Research from the The Center for Information & Research On Civic Learning And Engagement, or CIRCLE, revealed that the major peaks among young voters were in 1972, 2008, and 2012. Although, the popularity to vote in 2008 dropped by the time the 2012 elections came around, there were less young voters. Still, one may be wondering, “who exactly are the youth voters? And why don’t they vote?” Youth voters are individuals between the ages of 18-29, making college students a

Yet something so important as voting hardly raises the eyebrows to them. There was a time that it meant something to a young voter. An online article from Wikipedia - Voting Rights in the United States, explores a time when the voting age came to the forefront. In the 1960's the minimal age to vote was twenty one years old. A movement to lower the voting age to eighteen came to light during the Vietnam War. Many argued that they were drafted to fight in a war, but couldn't vote. A common slogan used by supporters was, " old enough to fight, old enough to vote". In 1971 the twenty sixth amendment was ratified in the Constitution to extend the voting right to citizens eighteen years of age. It shouldn't take a war to get us as young Americans interested. We should educate ourselves more and take the time to watch the debates and listen to those running for office. I have stood in those long lines with my parents waiting their turn to vote. I would get tired and often go play until they were done. But it was important to them and worth it to wait, and get that opportunity that the Constitution provides them in

The voter turnout may increase if the voting age is lowered. More teens will see that they have a voice and will go vote. Lowering the voting age will give them a voice and may get the younger generation to come up with new plans and ideas.

The argument of whether or not to raise or lower the age limit for the right to vote has raised many speculations as to how it would affect the economy. There are pros and cons to both sides of the argument, but any decisions made by the powers that be, more than likely, will have an adverse effect on today’s society if placed in the hands of the younger generation. Older voters benefit in having more understanding as it relates to the intentions and qualifications of each candidate running for office. In 1971, the voting age was lowered to eighteen, since then; there has been a decrease in the voting polls between the ages 21-27. If there is the possibility of the voting poles increasing due to lowering the age limit, then lowering the voting age to 17 is a better way of making sure that voters are more aware and equipped in making sound decisions as opposed to raising the age limit.

Let's say that you were able to vote at 16, all of your friend's would get together and decide who there voting for, and you would most likely go vote with them. With the youth now there all conected to each other so thus means a larger amount would vote. So to say that "The 16 - 18 age group would be even less involed" is totally false. If they were able to vote it would make them feel like there actually doing something for this country they call home. I beleive that if you want the number of voters to grow then lower the age from 18 to 16.