House Joint Resolution 354
10/21/1942
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“Old enough to fight, old enough to vote” was a slogan often heard during World War II. In 1942 it prompted Congressman Jennings Randolph of West Virginia to propose an amendment to the Constitution lowering the voting age to 18.
The slogan would be heard again later during the Vietnam War — and Randolph and other Senators reintroduced the amendment. The 26th amendment was ratified on July 1, 1971, granting the right to vote to American citizens aged 18 or older.
This document is the joint resolution from 1942. A joint resolution is a formal opinion adopted by both houses of the legislative branch. A constitutional amendment must be passed as a joint resolution before it is sent to the states for ratification.
The slogan would be heard again later during the Vietnam War — and Randolph and other Senators reintroduced the amendment. The 26th amendment was ratified on July 1, 1971, granting the right to vote to American citizens aged 18 or older.
This document is the joint resolution from 1942. A joint resolution is a formal opinion adopted by both houses of the legislative branch. A constitutional amendment must be passed as a joint resolution before it is sent to the states for ratification.
This primary source comes from the Records of the U.S. House of Representatives.
National Archives Identifier: 1634203
Full Citation: House Joint Resolution 354; 10/21/1942; (HR 77A-D20); Bill Files, 1903 - 1968; Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Record Group 233; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/house-joint-resolution-354, October 12, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
