Another city lowers the voting age to 16! Is NYC next?
Somerset Maryland becomes the seventh American community to lower the voting age to 16. A resolution in the NYC City council shows major Vote16 support in our nation's largest city.
Town of Somerset lowers the voting age!
Following a town referendum that showed broad support among residents for lowering the voting age to 16, the Somerset Maryland Town Council recently voted to lower the voting age to 16 for future elections. With this act, they became the seventh community in the United States to lower the voting age for municipal elections!
Somerset is located near the border between Maryland and Washington DC which is also considering lowering the voting age to 16.
Enabling legislation for Vote16 in NYC advances in New York State Legislature
New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigel has introduced a bill with 6 co-sponsors that would enable municipalities in New York State - including New York City - to lower the voting age to 16. A companion bill in the New York State Assembly introduced by Assemblymember Robert Carroll has 16 cosponsors. These bills have been referred to committee and would accomplish several key objectives including enabling municipalities in New York State to lower the voting age to 16 and improving civic education in schools.
This momentum in the state legislature has substantial support from the New York City Council. Councilman Shaun Abreu has been joined by eight other councilpeople in sponsoring a resolution from the New York City Council supporting these efforts in the state legislature. The resolution draws extensively on research from members of this network:
Whereas, 16- and 17-year olds bear many of the same responsibilities as adults; and
Whereas, 16- and 17-year olds can work and pay taxes; and …
Whereas, Studies agree that voting is an acquired habit; and
Whereas, When young people begin to vote while still living at home they are more likely to make voting a lifelong habit; and
Whereas, In 2019 there were more than 440,000 New York City residents who were between the ages of 15 and 19; and
Whereas, Countries and localities that permit 16- and 17-year olds to vote have found high turnout among this age group; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and New York State voters to approve, S.2562/A.330, which would amend the State Constitution to lower the voting age for state and local elections to 16.
The Vote 16 NYC/NYS campaign continues to build support for a lower voting age in New York City and New York State! You can see some amazing letters of support from community activists on their website and sign a petition adding your voice to the thousands already supporting Vote16 in New York City and New York State.
Vote16 Campaigns Advance in Jersey City and St Louis
A renewed effort to lower the voting age for board of education elections is underway in Jersey City New Jersey! Watch the clip above to learn more about this incredible effort and watch footage from their powerful rally last month. You can learn more about this campaign and get involved at Vote16NJ.org.
Meanwhile, in St Louis, youth activists have been speaking out about their campaign to lower the voting age in Missouri. Hear their voices in this feature that St. Louis Public Radio did on their work.
The Upshot? Grassroots momentum for Vote 16 is building across the US.
Grassroots movements for Vote 16 continue to gain traction across the United States! Share your story from your community and we will feature it on this substack. We are also happy to connect you with organizers from any of the campaigns featured here if that is of interest.
Sam Novey is Chief Strategist at the University of Maryland Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement.
Incredible!