In the United States, you can vote in any federal or state election once you turn 18. That floor comes from the 26th Amendment and applies in every state. Some states let you vote in a primary at 17 if you will be 18 by the general election, and a small number of cities allow 16-year-olds to vote in certain local races.
Why 18 Is the National Minimum
The 26th Amendment, ratified on July 1, 1971, prohibits the federal government and every state from denying anyone 18 or older the right to vote based on age.1Constitution Annotated. Amdt26.2.7 Ratification of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment Before 1971, most states set the voting age at 21.2Constitution Annotated. Overview of Twenty-Sixth Amendment, Reduction of Voting Age
The amendment is short and absolute. There are no exceptions and no state opt-outs. If you are 18, a U.S. citizen, and you meet your state’s residency and registration rules, no government at any level can use your age to keep you from voting.3Constitution Annotated. U.S. Constitution
Voting in a Primary at 17
More than 20 states and Washington, D.C., let 17-year-olds vote in primary elections or party caucuses, provided they will turn 18 by the date of the general election.4National Conference of State Legislatures. Voting Age for Primary Elections The logic is straightforward: if you will be old enough to choose between the finalists in November, you get a say in who those finalists are.
The rules vary. Some states extend 17-year-old participation to presidential primaries, and in a couple of states one political party allows it while the other does not.5Ballotpedia. Voting Under Age 18 If you are 17 with a primary coming up, your state or county election office can tell you whether you qualify.
Local Elections at 16
A handful of cities have lowered the voting age to 16 for local races. Takoma Park, Maryland, was the first, in 2013, and several neighboring Maryland municipalities followed. A few California cities allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections.
These younger voters can only cast ballots in local contests. They cannot vote for president, Congress, or state offices until they turn 18. The overall number of cities with these policies is still small, roughly a dozen. If you live in one of them, your local election office can tell you which races on the ballot are open to you.
Pre-Registering Before You Turn 18
You do not have to wait for your 18th birthday to get your paperwork in. Eighteen states and Washington, D.C., allow pre-registration starting at 16, and four more states open it at 17.6National Conference of State Legislatures. Preregistration for Young Voters You fill out the standard registration form, and your application sits in a pending status until you are old enough.
On your 18th birthday, the registration activates automatically. Many states tie this into getting a driver’s license or state ID, so you may be offered the option at the DMV without asking.7National Conference of State Legislatures. Automatic Voter Registration If you are 16 or 17 and want to be ready as soon as you qualify, pre-registration is the most useful step you can take.8Vote.gov. Preparing to Vote: Age 18 and Under
What Else You Need Besides Age
Turning 18 is necessary but not enough on its own. Federal law requires U.S. citizenship to vote in any election for president or Congress.9Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 611 – Voting by Aliens You also have to meet your state’s residency rules and register before your state’s deadline.10USAGov. Who Can and Cannot Vote
Deadlines vary widely. Some states cut off registration up to 30 days before an election, while more than 20 states and D.C. offer same-day registration, letting you sign up and vote on Election Day itself.11National Conference of State Legislatures. Same Day Voter Registration Most states ask for a driver’s license number or state ID when you register, though documents like a bank statement or utility bill showing your address are often accepted as alternatives.12USAGov. How to Register to Vote A felony conviction or a court finding of incapacity can also affect eligibility, with rules that differ by state.