What voting changes did the 26th amendment to the constitution make and when was it ratified?

The 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified on July 1, 1971, lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years. This change was primarily motivated by the argument that those old enough to be drafted for military service should also have the right to vote. The amendment aimed to expand democratic participation by ensuring that younger citizens could have a voice in the electoral process.