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Question: Why aren't minors allowed to vote?

Answer: The United States Constitution addresses the age issue of voting in Amendment XXVI (26th) 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.'

Minors can't vote because our Constitution, which is the higest law in the Nation, says they can't. As you can read in the 26th Amendment above, only adults age 18 and older may vote.

Before the 26th Amendment was passed in 1971, people could not vote until they were 21 years old. For more on American Voting rights, see Amendments 12, 14, 15 and 19.
Comments
1 thru 5 of 69 comments
On 04/17/09
anonmo from TX said:
Yes I think we should be able to vote. We have alot of good ideas. Whe we are young we have great ideas that we want to contribute too. But no will ever listen. Our ideas sometime could make our america a better place. It could also help the economy. When we get older those ideas fade away and we will never remember. I think we should be able to vote. I mean come on OBAMA for president. His ideas were wack. I mean look at what he gave to the QUEEN... self obsorbed much. And the 1st lady touched the queen. WAY wrong. Come one please people listen to kids for once..remember we are the future and
On 10/23/08
from AL said:
If people over age 18 have the full Bill of Rights why can't minors? Under age people still have every cent of their precious money taxed,why can't we at least have the right to elect who is going to spend our money?
On 10/22/08
David from MS said:
I believe that if you are able to read and write, then you should be able to vote. It doesn't matter the age of an American citizen. And if I could vote then I would vote for Barack Obama. John McCain is a good man but he is too old to be running for President. And plus Barack Obama is trying to fix what George Bush messed up. So just remember that you voted Bush in office and he messed up ALOT of things. So do you want McCain, a 72 year old or Barack, a 46 year old? It's your vote.
On 10/22/08
from TN said:
taxation without representation was enough for America to fight a war over. Why can't Congress pass another amendment?
On 09/17/08
Zeke from NJ said:
I am a FULL REPUBLICAN! I love John Macain. I to believe 4th graders can vote. can any other kid say they would vote for John Macain? If they do please write a cooment.
1 thru 5 of 69 comments


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