Takoma Park Poised to Lower Voting Age

The Takoma Park City Council is currently considering several charter amendments to the city’s voting and elections laws. One amendment would grant 16- and 17-year-old city residents the right to vote in municipal elections. The charter currently requires voters to be 18 years old. If passed, Takoma Park would be the first in the U.S. to lower the voting age to 16. The amendment will not extend to county, state, or federal elections.

The amendments were discussed during a public hearing on April 8. The amendments are on the agenda for tonight’s (April 15) City Council meeting at 9:10 p.m. The council meets from 7:30 to 10 p.m. in the City Hall auditorium, 7500 Maple Avenue. The agenda for tonight’s meeting may be found at: takomaparkmd.gov/clerk/agenda

Other election initiatives have been brought forward by members of the Council. The first is creation of a voting task force that would review voting laws and policies and make recommendations to the Council related to voting rights, increasing registration and participation, and conducting outreach to communities less well represented on election day. Another initiative is adoption of a right to vote resolution as a statement of Council policy.

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