"The decision created a bipolar voting system." ~NEA
Oregon vs. Mitchell: The case on Voting Rights for 18-21-year-olds
As soon as President Nixon signed the Voting Rights Act in 1970, controversies arose within states. Arizona and Idaho refused to comply with the new act, and Texas and Oregon claimed the law to be unconstitutional. Oregon appealed to the Supreme Court, and won the case Oregon vs Mitchell. However, even though Oregon won the case and the Federal government could not control the voting age in local elections, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress had the power to allow 18-21-year-olds to vote in federal elections. In short, 18-21-year-olds could vote for Vice President and President, but could not vote for their hometown mayor. "The decision created a bipolar voting system.”(NEA) Because of this decision, it became difficult for voting officials to do many things such as create different ballots for the 1972 election. After much debating of the amendment with the NEA, the Senate voted unanimously to propose a new amendment, and the House voted 400-19 in favor of passing the resolution. On July 4th, 1971, President Nixon signed the amendment, allowing 11 million young adults to vote. (History)
"... In which the state of Oregon is the plaintiff and the defender is the Attorney General of the United States, John Mitchell..."
~Lee Johnson, State Attorney General |
"We are seeking a decree that Title III of the Voting Rights Act of 1970 is unconstitutional."
~Lee Johnson, State Attorney General |