Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States extending the right to vote to citizens sixteen years of age or older.

# Summary of HJRES 16: Lowering the Voting Age to 16 **What the Bill Would Do** This proposed constitutional amendment would lower the minimum voting age in the United States from 18 to 16. If passed by Congress and ratified by the required number of states, it would allow 16-year-olds to vote in all federal, state, and local elections. Since voting age is set by the Constitution, changing it requires a constitutional amendment—a high bar that needs two-thirds approval from both the House and Senate, plus ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures. **Who It Affects and Current Status** The amendment would directly affect Americans aged 16 and 17, potentially expanding the voting population. It would also impact election administration and voter registration systems nationwide.

Currently, the bill is in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House. Supporters argue that 16-year-olds can work and pay taxes, while opponents typically contend that 18 remains an appropriate age for voting. Similar proposals have been introduced in previous congressional sessions but have not advanced to become law.