Voting Rights and Age: The 26th Amendment

This chapter explores the pivotal historical context of the Voting Rights Act amendments of 1970, focusing on the complexities surrounding Nixon's presidency and the legal challenges from states. It highlights the landmark Supreme Court case Oregon v. Mitchell, addressing the conflict between federal voting standards and state authority, particularly regarding the voting age. Through a narrative that includes the challenges of registering young voters, the chapter culminates in the ratification of the 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age to 18 during a tumultuous period in American history.