Despite federal regulation of voting age in the United States, children and youth are recognized to have certain rights within the country. These rights might address the role of children in the workplace, in the judicial process, and in schools and other educational institutions. Throughout the last 200 years, Congress has passed legislation that includes provisions to safeguard children, including regulating child labor, persecuting child abuse and neglect, promoting adoption, and protecting children online. The recognition of these legal rights poses a question: if laws affect children, then can children affect the laws as well?

Document A

An excerpt from the 26^th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. Passed by Congress March 23, 1971. Ratified July 1, 1971.

“Section 1. 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.

Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”