In 1954 and 1968 Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson, respectively, championed the cause of an amendment to the Constitution lowering the voting age to 18. In 1971 Senator Randolph reintroduced his original proposal, and it passed overwhelmingly. Ratification was accomplished in a record four months.
Illinois ratified the amendment on July 28, 1971. The amendment states that “the right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.”
