September 24, 2026 - Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has reintroduced the Youth Voting Rights Act of 2026, comprehensive legislation to enforce the Twenty-Sixth Amendment and expand youth access to voting. 

Text of Bill (PDF) | One Pager (PDF)

While the Twenty-Sixth Amendment protects the right of all citizens aged 18 or older to vote, young people continue to face unique barriers at the ballot box, including high rates of provisional ballot rejections, lack of accessible polling places, and restrictive residency and voter ID requirements. Moreover, over the course of his term, Donald Trump has repeatedly tried to manipulate election rules to make it harder to vote, with policies that disproportionately impact young people: promoting the SAVE Act, which risks disenfranchising millions of young voters by imposing proof of citizenship and voter ID requirements and prohibiting the use of student IDs to meet voter ID requirements; attacking on-campus voter registration programs; and suspending critical research to expand student voting.

As young people continue to face hurdles that weaken their voice and influence over elections, this bill would help young voters to defend their fundamental right to vote. 

“The right to vote is the most essential part of our democracy. We must do everything we can to make sure young voters have access to the polls,” said Senator Warren. “President Trump and the Republican Party are adamant on passing voter suppression bills like the SAVE Act that would make it harder for young voters to have a voice. This bill codifies measures that will make it easier for young people to access the ballot box and determine their futures.”

“Empowering young people to vote is critical to the future of our democracy. We must ensure that they can make their voices heard loud and clear at the ballot box,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Youth Voting Rights Act will ensure voting is fair and accessible for young Americans, with provisions like expanded voter registration, more on-campus polling places, and a requirement that states accept student IDs as valid identification. I am proud to support this bill and will work with my colleagues to make it law.” 

“Nothing is more fundamental to our democracy than protecting the right to vote. By tearing down barriers to voting and helping to ensure all eligible voters—especially young and first-time voters—can cast their ballots, this legislation fights back against Donald Trump and his attacks on our democracy,” said Senator Hirono. “The Trump Regime knows American voters are sick and tired of their chaos, corruption, and cruelty, yet their only response is taking steps to silence the voices of the people they serve. This legislation expands access to voting so young people of voting age can easily exercise their constitutional right to vote and make their voices heard.”

The Youth Voting Rights Act would specifically expand youth access to voting by:

• Empowering individuals and the government to enforce the Twenty-Sixth Amendment. The bill creates a private right of action to enforce the Twenty-Sixth Amendment and establishes a national standard of review for such lawsuits.
• Expanding voter registration services at public colleges and universities. The bill designates offices at all public institutions of higher education as “voter registration agencies” under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, imposing voter registration obligations on these institutions.
• Allowing young people in every state to pre-register to vote before turning 18. To ensure that young people can vote as soon as they turn 18, the bill requires states to establish pre-registration processes for 16- and 17-year-olds and allows states to expand their processes to youth younger than 16.
• Requiring institutions of higher education to have on-campus polling places. The bill ensures the availability of polling places on campuses of institutions of higher education wherever possible, removing one of the most significant barriers to youth voting access.
• Prohibiting durational residency requirements for all federal elections. The bill extends the Voting Rights Act’s protections against durational residency requirements and absentee voting limitations to all federal elections, and codifies the right to vote from a college domicile.
• Prohibiting age-based restrictions on voting by mail. The bill amends the Voting Rights Act to codify that age-based restrictions on vote-by-mail violate the 26th Amendment.
• Guaranteeing that states accept student IDs to meet voter-identification requirements. The bill mandates the acceptance of student IDs to meet state voter ID requirements in federal elections.
• Creating a grant program dedicated to youth involvement in elections. The bill creates a grant program for states to encourage youth involvement in elections, including through pre- registration, updated civics curricula, and a paid fellowship for young persons to support youth civic engagement.
• Gathering data on youth voter registration and election participation. The bill requires the federal government to study voter registration, absentee voting, and provisional voting trends by age and race to inform efforts to improve youth involvement in elections.

This legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-V.T.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore). 

Last year, U.S. Representative Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) introduced companion legislation in the House. 

This bill is endorsed by a wide range of democracy and youth organizations, including: American Civil Liberties Union/Democracy Division, League of Women Voters of the United States, Public Citizen, Campaign Legal Center, End Citizens United/Let America Vote Action Fund, Students Learn Students Vote Coalition, Voters of Tomorrow, Every Vote Counts, NextGen America, Southern Coalition for Social Justice, Democracy Defenders Action, National Domestic Workers Alliance, Secure Elections Network, Alliance for Youth Action, Jewish Democratic Council of America, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, Democracy Matters, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, United Church of Christ, Justice and Local Church Ministries, Fair Elections Center, Sojourners-SojoAction, Alliance of Baptists, Demand Justice, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Care in Action, United for Respect, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team, National Council of Negro Women, NAPAWF, MoveOn, Council on American-Islamic Relations, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, National Wildlife Federation, Indivisible Georgia Coalition, Field Team 6, Voto Latino, People Power United, National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), Institute for Responsive Government, Center for Common Ground, Coalition for the People’s Agenda, The Workers Circle, Climate Hawks Vote, Georgia Equality, New Hampshire Youth Movement, Engage Miami, Appleseed Foundation, Demos, National Council of Jewish Women, Faithful Democracy Coalition, Fourth Branch Action, Mi Familia Vota, The Civics Center, J Street, Andrew Goodman Foundation, Return My Vote, 100% Democracy: An Initiative for Universal Voting, American Family Voices, Concerned Citizens for Democracy, Free Speech for People, RepresentWomen, Vote.org, Common Cause, and Blue Future.

“Every decision made today affects the future young people will inherit. At a moment when anti-voter politicians are working to put more barriers between voters and the ballot box, protecting and expanding young people’s access to voting is essential to creating a democracy that actually reflects the people it serves. We know young people are engaged in politics and care deeply about social justice. The Youth Voting Rights Act is about making sure the next generation has the power to help choose leaders who reflect their values and priorities,” said Xavier Persad, Deputy Director, Democracy and Technology Division at the American Civil Liberties Union.

“On the 55th Anniversary of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment, the Youth Voting Rights Act stands as a historic baseline to finally fulfill our constitutional promise. Fifty-five years ago, an ideologically diverse coalition unified the nation, leading to the fastest, cross-partisan ratification in constitutional history. Yet today, young voters face severe, modern barriers—from discriminatory voter ID and vote-by-mail laws to inaccessible campus polling sites—that directly violate that original constitutional intent. This legislation meets our current political moment by dismantling targeted burdens, reviving the once cross-partisan recognition that young people are vital to upholding our democracy. It’s an immense honor to have worked with the congressional offices to architect the proposal, and I am grateful for their leadership to enforce the Amendment’s promise,” said Yael Bromberg, constitutional rights attorney and Twenty-Sixth Amendment legal scholar.

“Republicans have been desperately trying to silence the voices of young Americans, pushing measures like the SAVE Act and targeting polling access on college campuses. While they underestimate our generation, we’re fighting back. The Youth Voting Rights Act is a critical step in defeating their disenfranchisement agenda. This legislation makes voting more accessible and would help millions of young people exercise their right to vote. Young people deserve to have a say in the decisions that shape our futures,” said Santiago Mayer, Executive Director, Voters of Tomorrow.

“Youth and student voters aren’t just the future of our democracy – they’re on the front lines of change today, and have been for generations. The Youth Voting Rights Act would address key barriers that prevent too many youth and student voters from accessing their right to vote, helping current and future generations have full say in the decisions that shape their lives for decades to come,” said Clarissa Unger, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Students Learn Students Vote Coalition.

“Expanding access to voting for the next generation is essential to building a more representative and responsive democracy. Despite the 26th Amendment, our election systems too often overlook and fail younger Americans. The Youth Voting Rights Act would address these shortcomings through critical reforms that expand the freedom to vote and empower every eligible voter to participate. This landmark legislation would enforce constitutional protections for young voters, remove barriers to the ballot box, expand registration and voting opportunities at colleges and universities, promote preregistration, and provide vital federal funding for these efforts. Campaign Legal Center strongly supports this comprehensive proposal and urges Congress to pass it without delay,” said Eric Kashdan, Director of Federal Advocacy, Campaign Legal Center.

“Our democracy is strongest when every voice is heard, including those of our young voters. The League of Women Voters of the United States strongly supports this legislation to make voting more accessible for young voters by breaking down obstacles they continue to face when registering to vote or casting a ballot. We must equip young voters with the necessary resources to fully participate in the democratic process if we want to create strong and engaged citizens,” said Jessica Jones Capparell, Director, Government Affairs, League of Women Voters.

“All too often we’ve seen firsthand how voting rules and barriers hit young voters the hardest: a single confusing registration requirement or rejected student ID can be the difference between a first-time voter becoming a lifetime one or never turning out again. The Youth Voting Rights Act is a powerful step towards ensuring young people are heard, not shut out, the moment they’re old enough to participate in our democracy by voting,” said Jeff Loperfido, Chief Counsel, Voting Rights, Southern Coalition for Social Justice.

“Every Vote Counts is proud to support the Youth Voting Rights Act, a substantial piece of legislation that will significantly empower young people across the United States to participate in the fundamental democratic process. Representing over 130 college campuses throughout the nation, Every Vote Counts can confirm firsthand the beneficial impact the Youth Voting Rights Act would have for students. By protecting student identification cards, expanding registration services at public universities, and guaranteeing pre-registration before the age of 18, among many other provisions, this bill will support efforts to increase voter turnout and access among college-aged individuals,” said Everton Prospere, National Student Board President for Every Vote Counts.

Senator Warren is a national leader on efforts to defend our democracy and the sacred right to vote:

• In August 2026, Senators Warren, Padilla (D-Calif.), and colleagues wrote a letter to Dr. Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), urging him to repeal guidance that would threaten nursing home residents’ right to vote. 
• In April 2026, in response to the news that the Supreme Court limited key parts of the Voting Rights Act, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement.
• In March 2026, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate in staunch opposition to the SAVE Act, Republicans’ effort to suppress voting rights nationwide.
• In October 2023, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) reintroduced the Youth Voting Rights Act.
• In June 2022, Senators Warren, Whitehouse (R-R.I.), Hirono (D-Hawaii), Merkley (D-Ore.), Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Luján (D-N.M.) sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra urging him to expand voter registration access on HealthCare.gov.
• In May 2022, Senators Warren and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn) led nine of their colleagues in introducing the Sustaining Our Democracy Act. This legislation would provide $20 billion in mandatory federal funding over the next decade to help states and local governments support election administration, including by training and recruiting nonpartisan poll workers and election officials and increasing access to voting in underserved communities.
• In January 2022, Senator Warren delivered a speech on the floor of the United States Senate calling on the Senate to end the filibuster and protect voting rights.
• In October 2021, Senator Warren joined 48 of her Democratic colleagues to introduce the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
  
  Source: Senator Elizabeth Warren