Starting with the November election for College Park City Council and mayor, 16- and 17-year-olds will be allowed to vote.
The council voted 5-3 in early April to lower the voting age for city elections from 18 to 16.
Championed by Councilmember John Rigg (District 3), the measure is designed to boost the number of residents who vote in local elections and, Rigg said, to instill a sense of civic duty in teenagers.
Mayor Pro Tem Denise Mitchell (District 4) said the residents in her part of the city oppose lowering the voting age. Councilmember Maria Mackie (District 4), also voted against the change, saying she would prefer to see the city assemble a youth advisory council to keep on top of the viewpoints of younger residents.
Councilmember Alan Hew (District 1) also opposed the measure, suggesting the city should allow residents to vote on whether to lower the age of eligibility.
Maryland law allows cities to decide the legal age for voting in local elections. Eight cities, including nearby Greenbelt, Hyattsville and Riverdale Park, allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in city races.
