What significant change did the 26th Amendment bring about?

The 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1971, made a crucial change by lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 years. This amendment was primarily driven by the argument that if individuals were old enough to be drafted into military service, they should also have the right to vote. The shift reflected a growing recognition of the rights of younger citizens and their involvement in society, especially during the Vietnam War era when many young Americans were fighting but could not vote.

As a result, the passage of the 26th Amendment expanded democratic participation by allowing millions of 18-to-20-year-olds to engage in the electoral process, thus significantly impacting elections and political representation in the United States.