What is the voting age established by the 26th Amendment?

The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, established 18 years as the minimum voting age in the United States. This change was largely influenced by the context of the Vietnam War, where many young Americans were being conscripted to fight and argued that they should have the right to vote on the decisions that affected their lives, including participation in the war. The amendment reflects a commitment to expanding democratic participation and ensuring that younger citizens, who are legally considered adults at 18, have a voice in the electoral process. This principle of enfranchisement has been recognized as crucial for a representative democracy, where all segments of society are allowed to influence political decisions.