---
title: U.S. Const. Amend. XXVI. Age for Suffrage
collection: code
id: us-const:amend-xxvi
cite_as: U.S. Const. Amend. XXVI
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date: 2025
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---

# U.S. Const. Amend. XXVI. Age for Suffrage

A constitution provision shown as in force is in force as printed in the volume. A court decision can make a printed provision unenforceable without changing the volume, and the volume does not record that.

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.

Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

## Cross References

Voting and elections, Ga. Const. 1983, Art. II, §§ 1 and 2.

Rights of minors generally, § 1-2-8.

Registration of voters generally, § 21-2-210 et seq.

Age of majority, § 39-1-1.

## Law Reviews

For article, “Federalizing Through the Franchise: The Supreme Court and Local Government,” see 6 Ga. L. Rev. 34 (1971).

For note, “ERA: The Effect of Extending the Time for Ratification on Attempts to Rescind Prior Ratifications,” see 28 Emory L.J. 71 (1979).

For article, “Rethinking Constitutional Review in America and the Commonwealth: Judicial Protection of Human Rights in the Common Law World,” see 35 Ga. J. Int’l & Comp. L. 99 (2006).

For note, “Let My People Grow: Putting a Number on Strict Scrutiny in the Wake of Holt v. Hobbs,” see 51 Ga. L. Rev. 297 (2016).

For article, “The Independent State Legislature Doctrine, Federal Elections, and State Constitutions,” see 55 Ga. L. Rev. 1 (2020).

## Residence for Voting Purposes.

A citizen over 18 years but under 21 years is sui juris for voting purposes and can establish a residence apart from the residence of the citizen’s parents. However, such citizen must still fulfill the residence requirements established by law and each application should be decided by the voter registrars in accordance with established principles of determining residence. 1971 Op. Att’y Gen. No. 71-151.

If citizens under 21 years are prohibited from establishing a residence of their own for voting purposes while citizens over 21 years are not, then voting rights are being denied to those under 21 on account of their age. 1971 Op. Att’y Gen. No. 71-151.

## Am. Jur. 2d.

25 Am. Jur. 2d, Elections, § 150.

## C.j.s.

29 C.J.S., Elections, § 16. 85 C.J.S., Taxation, § 1729.