College Park becomes 9th Maryland city to expand the voting age to 16 for municipal elections
After a vigorous youth-led campaign, the College Park City Council has voted to lower the voting age to 16 for municipal elections.
At the Vote 16 Research Network, our team at the University of Maryland College Park is always looking to learn from the incredible local leaders engaging with Vote 16 policies around the country and the world.
Over the last few months, we’ve had an amazing opportunity to learn from the remarkable youth-led campaign to expand the voting age to 16 right here in College Park. In some cases, advocates are students at UMD who had the opportunity to vote at 16 in their hometowns around the state where they experienced the opportunity to vote at 16. This a striking example of a trend in the research on Vote 16 policies the UK which shows that support for Vote 16 policies rises as a result of its implementation at the local level.
Unless the residents of College Park take action by May 18 to send the issue to a ballot referendum, the office of the City Clerk will begin taking steps to implement the policy ahead of College Park’s municipal election in the fall.
Here in College Park, we are so lucky to be served by City Clerk Yvette Allen who would be be in charge of implementing our Vote 16 policy. Yvette grew up in College Park and has been with the City Clerk’s office since 1988. She does extraordinary work serving our community! You can learn a bit more about her and all the work her team does in this video. Our research has shown that the work of skilled and experienced City Clerks (and other local election officials) like Yvette are crucial to Vote 16 policy.
We look forward to continuing to learn from the advocates, community members, and local election officials involved with Vote 16 policy in College Park! A full statement from Vote16USA including reflections from numerous leaders involved with this effort is below.
Vote16USA Statement on College Park’s adoption of a Vote 16 policy
College Park, Maryland becomes the 9th city in the state—and the 14th in the nation—to lower the voting age for all municipal elections.
College Park, Maryland has officially passed legislation to lower the voting age to 16 in all local elections, joining a growing number of cities nationwide that are taking bold steps to expand access to democracy and empower the next generation of civic leaders.
With this vote, 16- and 17-year-olds in College Park will now be able to cast ballots in elections for mayor & city council. It’s a powerful recognition of the role young people play in shaping their communities and an inspiring sign of momentum in the national movement to lower the voting age.
“Lowering the voting age is essential to creating a truly representative democracy. Young people are directly impacted by today’s policies, yet we’re often excluded from shaping them. Empowering youth with the right to vote ensures our voices are heard and helps build a future that reflects all of us.”
- Vanessa Li, Vote16MD Director & Co-Founder
This victory didn’t happen overnight. It was the result of persistent advocacy from local organizers, the leadership of young people in College Park, and a community committed to building a more participatory democracy.
Youth in College Park made their voices heard, testifying before city council, meeting with local leaders, and rallying community support. They made it clear: young people aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow. They are leaders right now.
“This is a win not just for College Park, but for the future of our democracy. When young people are trusted with the right to vote, they rise to the occasion, bringing fresh perspectives, bold ideas, and a deep commitment to building stronger, more inclusive communities. Let this serve as a rallying cry for cities across the country: trust young people. Engage them. Include them. And watch them transform our democracy for the better.”
- LaJuan Allen, Director of Vote16USA at Generation Citizen
College Park joins eight other Maryland cities including Takoma Park, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Riverdale Park, Mount Rainier, Somerset, Chevy Chase, Cheverly and now a rapidly growing network of municipalities that have expanded the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds.
“Last week, the College Park City Council made the important and courageous step of lowering the voting age to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to be heard in the political process. Lowering the voting age not only guarantees young people their human right to vote but also helps make democracies healthier. It makes young people more engaged, better informed, and more civically minded citizens. Last week’s decision is not only an important step for the City but for the Vote16 movement as a whole.”
- Michael Lynch, Vote16 Advocate & College Park resident
This decision also places College Park among a national group of trailblazing cities like Berkeley and Oakland, both in California, Brattleboro, VT & Newark, NJ that are leading the charge to rethink what inclusive democracy looks like.
“I’m excited that more younger people can now vote in College Park. Expanding the franchise for municipal elections to residents ages 16 and 17 will help promote civic engagement and make our young people feel like they have a true stake in our local community. I hope and expect this step will help build a habit of voting and democratic engagement that will empower young residents to add their voice to our civic discourse and help make our city, state and nation stronger.”
- John Rigg, College Park City Councilor; District 3.
“I supported extending the voting age because I believe it will help introduce and motivate young residents to become more involved and aware of the municipal government and its resources. By extending this right I hope the practice of voting becomes regular at an earlier age and helps indoctrinate participants into the democratic process earlier in life. My life experiences have shaped my perspective of maturity, I joined the military at 17 and had a job at 16, where I paid taxes. I believe if you are a resident in a community, you should have a say in the direction it’s moving. Also as the youngest council member, I am particularly aware that this change broadens our constituency and I hope it forces us to carry a greater level of accountability to the younger population who I hope will come with fresh ideas to tackle some of our longstanding challenges. I thank Councilor John Rigg for his leadership in educating us about this initiative and introducing this action. I’m proud to have supported it and look forward to engaging the next generation of civic leaders in our community.”
- Jacob Hernandez, College Park City Councilor; District 1
Lowering the voting age is more than a symbolic gesture, it’s a strategic investment in lifelong civic engagement. Research shows that voting is habit-forming, and when young people vote early, they’re more likely to become consistent, engaged voters for life.
At the same time, 16- and 17-year-olds are already active participants in their communities: they pay taxes, drive, work jobs, and help support their families. They also care deeply about issues like education, public safety, climate justice, and racial equity. They deserve a voice in the decisions that impact them most.
"Across the country, municipal voter turnout rates are incredibly low, in some cases hovering around just 10%. One thing is clear: When such a small percentage of individuals are voting, election results are not truly representative. Time and time again, evidence has shown that lowering the voting age to 16 improves the general municipal turnout rate dramatically. Lowering the voting age isn't just a matter of enfranchisement; it's a matter of democracy.”
- Anya Kleinman, Vote16MD Director & Co-Founder
This is a huge step forward, but it’s only the beginning. The Vote16 movement is growing in cities and states across the country, with campaigns underway in over 10 states. Young people are organizing, educating, and pushing for change and they’re not slowing down.
We’re so proud of the youth leaders, organizers, and allies who made this win possible in College Park. This moment is a powerful reminder that when young people lead, communities thrive and democracy gets stronger for all of us.
Congratulations, College Park!
To learn more, please click here.
Sam Novey is Chief Strategist at the University of Maryland Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement and Founder of the Vote 16 Research Network. LaJuan Allen is Director of Vote16USA.
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