What is the minimum voting age in U.S. elections?

The minimum voting age in U.S. elections is 18 years. This is established by the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was ratified in 1971. The amendment was a response to the arguments that if individuals were old enough to be drafted into the military at 18, they should also have the right to vote. Therefore, anyone who is at least 18 years of age on or before election day is eligible to cast their vote in federal, state, and local elections. This age limit reflects a consensus on the importance of ensuring that younger citizens have a voice in the democratic process once they are deemed adults, capable of making informed decisions.