What right does Amendment 26 protect?

Amendment 26 to the United States Constitution protects the right to vote for individuals aged 18, 19, and 20. Ratified in 1971, this amendment was a significant step in the effort to lower the voting age from 21 to 18, recognizing that young adults who are legally considered adults and can be drafted for military service should also have the right to participate in the democratic process through voting. This change reflected a broader societal shift toward recognizing the rights and responsibilities of younger individuals, particularly in the context of the Vietnam War era.

The other options reflect misunderstandings or inaccuracies about the rights established in the Constitution. For instance, the voting age of 16 is not protected by this amendment, and Amendment 26 does not address rights related to free speech or the right to bear arms, which concern different amendments in the Bill of Rights.