Bills · HJRES 16
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House Joint Res.HJRES 16Voting rightsConstitution and constitutional amendments
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States extending the right to vote to citizens sixteen years of age or older.
INTRO JAN 9· LAST ACTION JAN 9
READING
1MIN
COSPONSORS
6
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill is important because it proposes a fundamental change to who can participate in our democracy. If it becomes law, it would empower a significant new group of young people to have their voices heard at the ballot box, potentially influencing election outcomes and policy decisions on issues like education, climate change, and economic opportunity that directly affect their futures.
If this bill does not pass, the voting age will remain 18, and 16 and 17-year-olds will continue to be unable to vote in federal and most state elections. Changing the Constitution is a rare and significant act, highlighting the profound impact this proposal could have on the future of American elections and youth engagement.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Proposes a new Constitutional amendment to lower the national voting age to 16 years old.
This is the core change, giving millions of younger citizens the right to vote.
PROVISION 02
Calls for the repeal of the 26th Amendment, which currently sets the national voting age at 18.
This ensures consistency and removes the previous, higher age restriction.
PROVISION 03
Grants Congress the authority to create laws to ensure this voting right is upheld.
This provides a mechanism for the federal government to enforce the new voting age nationwide.
PROVISION 04
Requires ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years to become part of the Constitution.
This outlines the high bar for amending the Constitution and the specific timeframe for approval.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 6
D· New York
YRS IN OFFICE
13
BILLS LED
40
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 6 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 9
Introduced in House
JAN 9
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Joint Resolution
NumberHJRES 16
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 9, 2025
Last actionJan 9, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 9, 2025
House Joint Res.HJRES 16Voting rightsConstitution and constitutional amendments
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States extending the right to vote to citizens sixteen years of age or older.
INTRODUCED JAN 9, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 9, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
1 min
COSPONSORS
6
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
