26th Amendment AP US Government Test

📚 Quick Study Guide

📜 What it is: The 26th Amendment lowered the voting age in the United States from 21 to 18. 🗓️ Ratification Date: Ratified on July 1, 1971. 🇺🇸 Motivation: Primarily driven by the idea that if 18-year-olds were eligible to be drafted into military service (during the Vietnam War), they should also have the right to vote. ⚖️ Key Phrase: "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." 🏛️ Impact: Significantly expanded the electorate and changed the landscape of American politics, forcing candidates and parties to pay attention to the concerns of younger voters.

📝 Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following best describes the 26th Amendment?
   1. It prohibits states from denying the right to vote based on race.
   2. It lowered the voting age to 18.
   3. It granted women the right to vote.
   4. It eliminated the poll tax.
2. What was a primary motivation for passing the 26th Amendment?
   1. To increase voter turnout among senior citizens.
   2. To align voting age with the military draft age.
   3. To give states more control over voting regulations.
   4. To reduce the influence of special interest groups.
3. The 26th Amendment was ratified in which year?
   1. 1964
   2. 1971
   3. 1920
   4. 1984
4. Which of the following groups benefited most directly from the 26th Amendment?
   1. 16-year-olds
   2. 18-20-year-olds
   3. 25-30-year-olds
   4. Senior citizens
5. What is the main constitutional principle addressed by the 26th Amendment?
   1. Freedom of speech
   2. Voting rights
   3. Right to bear arms
   4. Protection against unreasonable search and seizure
6. Which of the following is a direct consequence of the 26th Amendment?
   1. Increased political participation among young adults
   2. Decreased focus on youth issues in political campaigns
   3. Elimination of voter registration requirements
   4. Reduced influence of political parties
7. Before the 26th Amendment, what was the minimum voting age in most states?
   1. 16
   2. 18
   3. 21
   4. 25