Author:
Frost, Jennifer, 1961- author.
ImprintNew York : New York University Press, [2021]
Descriptionx, 373 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
Note:Introduction : "we're old enough so let us vote" -- Part I. "It's been a long time gettin' here," 1942-1962 -- Franchise of freedom -- Youth's own future -- Make democracy live -- Change Is in the air -- Part II. "A change is comin' and it's very near," 1963-1967 -- Agenda for a generation -- Consent of the governed -- Challenge of citizenship -- This Is democracy? -- Part III. "It's time that we all made a contribution," 1968-1969 -- Turning Point '68 -- We can vote them out -- It's about time -- Where It's at -- Part IV. "Come on and let us vote-it's a solution," 1970-1971 -- The hour Is striking -- Enfranchised? -- A step forward -- On account of age -- Conclusion : "talking 'bout you and me changin' things peacefully" -- Appendix : youth suffrage in states and territories, 1943-1971.
Bibliography Note:Includes bibliographical references and index.
Note:""Let Us Vote" tells the story of the multifaceted endeavor to achieve youth voting rights in the United States. Over a thirty-year period from World War II to the early 1970s, Americans, old and young, Democrat and Republican, in politics and culture built a movement and momentum for the 26th Amendment to the US Constitution. This amendment gave the right to vote to 18, 19, and 20-year olds in 1971, and it was the last time that the United States significantly expanded voting rights. The 26th Amendment means a major expansion of American democracy came right end of "the sixties." Progress toward achieving youth suffrage built on the decade's many developments, most importantly the movement and legislation for African-American civil and voting rights. This story illuminates the process of achieving political change, with the convergence of "top-down" initiative and "bottom-up" mobilization, coalition-building, multiple arguments, and strategic flexibility leading to success. Supporters came from a broad, bipartisan group of Americans and achieved a constitutional amendment that benefited every constituency in the nation. With the 50th anniversary of this important constitutional amendment this year [2021], and as calls for lowering the voting age to sixteen multiply today within the context of climate crisis, gun violence, and police brutality-all of which affect young people disproportionately-the 26th Amendment deserves our attention, application, and appreciation."-- Provided by publisher.
