How old must citizens be to vote for president?

To vote for president in the United States, citizens must be at least eighteen years old. This age requirement is established by the 26th Amendment to the Constitution, which was ratified in 1971. The amendment was a response to widespread advocacy for lowering the voting age, particularly during the Vietnam War era, when many argued that if individuals were old enough to be drafted for military service, they should also have the right to vote.

The establishment of eighteen as the minimum voting age reflects the belief that this age represents an appropriate threshold of maturity and civic responsibility. By setting the voting age at eighteen, the law empowers a significant portion of young adults to participate in the democratic process, encouraging civic engagement and representation of their interests in government decisions.