Albany, CA Makes History by Lowering Voting Age to 16 via Ballot Measure

In November 2024, Albany, California became the first city to lower the voting age for all local elections via ballot measure. This campaign shows how grassroots advocacy can shift public opinion.

Vote 16 for all municipal elections wins on the ballot for the first time with *64%* support!

In a landmark victory for youth voting rights, Albany, California has become the first U.S. city to successfully pass a ballot measure lowering the voting age to 16 for all city elections. With an overwhelming 64% of voters in favor, Albany has set a strong precedent for the growing movement to give young people a voice in their local elections.

The path to this historic decision was long and challenging. Albany’s success follows up several other efforts that have tried and failed to pass similar measures at the polls. Culver City, CA (49.95% Vote 16 support), Rockville, MD (28.77% Vote 16 support), and San Francisco, CA (47.9% Vote support) have all proposed lowering the voting age for all municipal elections in recent years, but none were able to secure enough public support to pass their ballot initiatives despite vigorous campaigns. While Berkeley (70.3% Vote 16 support) and Oakland (67.88% Vote 16 support) have also supported Vote 16 policies by wide margins, those ballot measures applied only to school board elections which has historically generated greater public support than Vote 16 policies that cover other municipal offices.

So, what made Albany different? How did grassroots organizers in this small California city manage to shift public opinion and win such a significant victory for young voters?

The Vote 16 Albany message is a great example of how priming voters to think of all the ways 16-and 17-year-olds already fully participate in society can effectively move public opinion.

The power of grassroots organizing and youth advocacy

Albany’s success didn’t happen overnight. It was the result of an effort led by passionate, dedicated youth organizers who understood the importance of engaging their peers and educating the community. Through youth testimony, coalition building, advocacy, and tireless campaigning, Albany organizers were able to shift the conversation and build momentum around the idea of enfranchising 16-and 17-year-olds.

One of the most powerful tools in their arsenal was the first hand testimony of young people themselves. Many 16- and 17-year-olds took to the stage at city council meetings, sharing their personal stories about why having the right to vote was important to them. They spoke about the issues that directly affect them—education, climate change, gun violence—and how they felt excluded from decisions that would shape their future.

These youth voices helped humanize the issue and make it clear that young people are not only ready to vote but are already deeply engaged in civic life. Their testimonies resonated with voters!

In addition to youth voices, organizers in Albany used a targeted grassroots strategy to reach voters directly. Door-to-door canvassing, informational meetings, and outreach to local schools helped build a broad coalition of supporters. By Election Day their campaign was endorsed by the local League of Women Voters, local political party organizations, labor unions, and elected officials whose support helped validate Vote 16 Albany with skeptical voters. This direct, face-to-face engagement helped organizers break down misconceptions and show that lowering the voting age wasn’t a radical idea, but a reasonable extension of democracy to include those who are already deeply involved in the issues of today.

Why Other Cities Struggled

While Albany’s victory is a major milestone, the road hasn’t been easy for other cities that have attempted to lower the voting age via ballot measure. For example, Culver City, CA put a similar measure on the ballot but faced opposition, including concerns about the maturity and readiness of 16-year-olds to vote. Despite a strong campaign from youth advocates, the measure failed by just 16 votes out of nearly 17,000 cast.

Similarly, Rockville, MD, which also attempted to lower the voting age, couldn’t overcome the skepticism from local voters who were unsure about the impact of enfranchising 16-year-olds. Despite gathering significant youth support, Rockville’s measure was defeated at the polls.

In San Francisco, despite the city’s progressive reputation, the proposal to lower the voting age was met with a surprising amount of resistance. Many voters raised questions about whether 16-year-olds were truly capable of making informed decisions in local elections, and in the end, the measure fell short.

These results highlight a key challenge that organizers face: public opinion. For all the progress made in local campaigns, changing the mindset of voters—especially those who are skeptical of young people’s ability to vote responsibly—remains a significant hurdle. Albany’s success demonstrates that when the right combination of grassroots organizing, youth leadership, and public engagement comes together, public opinion can be shifted.

Looking Ahead: A Blueprint for Success

Albany’s victory offers a hopeful blueprint for other cities and communities looking to lower the voting age. It shows that even in a political climate where change can be difficult to achieve, grassroots efforts led by young people can make a real impact.

As the Vote 16 movement continues to grow, Albany’s success serves as a testament to the power of youth-led activism and the importance of giving young people a platform to advocate for their rights. Organizers across the country can take inspiration from Albany’s approach—combining grassroots outreach with passionate advocacy to create a groundswell of support.

The fight for youth voting rights goes on. There will be other cities, other communities, where Vote 16 proposals will be up for debate. Albany’s win is just the beginning. There are still many barriers to overcome, but with the dedication and persistence of young activists, the dream of a nation where 16-year-olds can vote will one day become a reality.

As we celebrate Albany’s historic win, we must remember that the future of democracy belongs to those who are willing to fight for it—whether they’re 16, 18, or 80. The movement continues, and with it, the belief that young people deserve a voice in shaping the future they will inherit.

Call to Action

If you’re inspired by Albany’s victory and want to help lower the voting age in your community, consider getting involved in local organizing efforts. Share your voice, share your story, and join the growing movement to ensure that young people everywhere have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.

Let’s keep pushing, let’s keep advocating, and let’s ensure that the voices of tomorrow are heard today

LaJuan Allen is the Director of Vote16USA, a national initiative that supports campaigns to lower the voting age. He is based in Providence, Rhode Island where he has held numerous roles in local civic life and city government.