Young Democrats of America President Rod Snyder released the following statement today in recognition of the 40th anniversary of the ratification of the 26th amendment to the Constitution:

“Today the Young Democrats of America (YDA) joins all Americans in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the ratification of the 26th amendment to the Constitution, which extended the right to vote to citizens 18 years of age and older.

“The ratification of the 26th amendment was an important moment in our nation’s history where we recognized the inconsistency of asking young Americans to fight in wars on foreign shores while not affording the basic right to participate in our democracy at home.

“Over the past forty years, young people have helped shape the future of our nation, with youth participation notably on the rise during the past decade.  YDA and other youth organizations have played an important role in ensuring that young Americans have the opportunity influence the political process.

“Yet on the anniversary of this important step forward, voting rights are facing calculated attacks by Republican state lawmakers across the country.  GOP-controlled legislatures are seeking to systematically erect barriers to the democratic process and deny millions of Americans the right to vote.

“Make no mistake, Republicans are attempting to disenfranchise groups of voters that they have failed to win over in the ballot box, including students and minority communities.  Our democracy cannot survive if politicians are permitted to select their voters rather than voters selecting their leaders.  Our most fundamental constitutional rights should never be subject to partisan politics.

“These recent Republican attacks are a reminder that we cannot take voting rights for granted.  YDA applauds the group of U.S. Senators led by Michael Bennet (D-CO) who are urging the Department of Justice to review new restrictive voting laws at the state level.”