## Legislative bill overview

The bill SJ Res 3 aims to propose an amendment to the Constitution of the United States concerning the right to vote. Specifically, it seeks to guarantee that the right to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age, ensuring that citizens aged 18 years and older are guaranteed the right to vote. This legislative proposal reflects an effort to address potential barriers to voting, particularly for younger voters, and emphasizes the importance of voting rights as fundamental to democracy.

## Why is this important

The significance of this bill lies in its potential to strengthen and protect voting rights across the United States. By enshrining the right to vote in the Constitution for those 18 and older, it aims to safeguard against legislative attempts to restrict voting access based on age. This could invigorate democratic participation among young voters, who historically have lower turnout rates. Additionally, it signals a commitment to ensuring that all eligible citizens have equal access to the electoral process, which is foundational to a functioning democracy.

## Potential points of contention

• The bill may face opposition from those who argue that states should retain the authority to regulate voting and elections, including age-related policies.


• Concerns may arise regarding the interpretation of "abridged," potentially leading to legal challenges and ambiguity in enforcement.


• There is a risk that expanding voting rights without accompanying measures to address voter education and engagement could lead to uninformed voting.


• Critics might argue that the amendment could inadvertently lower the threshold for voting age in future interpretations.