How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?

Citizens must be at least eighteen years old to vote for President in the United States. This age requirement is established by the 26th Amendment to the Constitution, which was ratified in 1971. The amendment was enacted to lower the voting age from twenty-one to eighteen, reflecting the belief that if individuals are old enough to be drafted into the military and participate in the defense of the country, they should also have the right to vote for their leaders. This change significantly expanded the electorate and ensured that younger citizens could participate in the democratic process, affirming the principle that all adult citizens should have an equal voice in their government.