On the 50th anniversary of the 26th Amendment, the need to protect voting rights is clear

Updated July 2024: For more up-to-date information on how to strengthen youth voter turnout and enforce the 26th Amendment, check out our most recent article from 2024: New Report Explains How States Can Support Young Voters And Strengthen Turnout

The 26th Amendment, ratified on July 1, 1971, gave 18-year-olds the right to vote. Today is the 50th anniversary of this historic voting rights landmark. 

There is a lot to celebrate. Youth political participation is rising, with record-breaking voter turnout in the 2020 general election and 2021 Senate races in Georgia. Young people made a key difference in many races. We feel motivated by this positive trend and inspired by all young people who want to work for a better democracy.  

On a day that we hoped to celebrate the legacy of youth suffrage, we're reminded of how much work is still needed. The Supreme Court has taken the occasion to adopt what Justice Kagan has called a “cramped” and “tragic” interpretation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The likely result will be an escalation of state-law attacks on voting rights.

In addition, while virtually all young people have the legal right under their state laws to register to vote before they graduate from high school, there is virtually no social, cultural, or educational infrastructure to effectively and equitably implement these laws. As a result, even in this record-breaking year, only about half of young citizens actually voted in the 2020 presidential election.   

On the 50th anniversary of the 26th Amendment, the path for change remains in sight. Congress retains the power to restore voting rights to their proper place as a foundation of a healthy democracy. States and school districts retain the power to help everyone participate. All of us — future voters as well as current voters — retain the power to make sure our elected officials know we care.   

Today, we call on the U.S. Senate to enact the For the People Act, which will prohibit many discriminatory voting practices, improve fair and equal access to voting, and set a nationwide standard to implement the 26th Amendment by allowing young people to preregister to vote beginning at age 16. We call on all states and school districts to put in place effective policies and programs to help all young people — and all citizens — register and vote as soon as they are eligible. And we call on all young people, left behind by Covid, to register to vote today.

Young people are as crucial to our democracy today as they were in 1971 when the 26th Amendment was enacted. It is time for our country to live up to its promise.

You can read more about the obstacles to and opportunities for youth voting here.