Youth Voting in Local Elections
Takoma Park, MD
Population: 10,000 - 50,000 | Government type: City | Topic: Expanding Democracy
Left: Asha Henry, who heads the Takoma Park Youth Council, casts her first-ever vote in October 2020. (Family photo). Right: Dakota Pippins, who is 13, lives in Takoma Park, Maryland, the first city in the nation to allow residents as young as 16 to vote in local elections. He’s a member of the Takoma Park Youth Council, which supports the idea. (Family photo)
OVERVIEW
In 2013, Takoma Park became the first US municipality to extend voting rights in local elections to sixteen and seventeen-year-olds. The impetus sprang from overall low voter turnout in local elections, which had only passed the 20 percent threshold once in the previous 20 years. Maryland election law is relatively flexible and allows local jurisdictions to determine their own election laws, so the city launched its effort starting with a charter change.
The opposition was clear and robust. Critics complained that those under 18 were too young to have informed opinions, that they would be coerced into voting like their parents, and that they would not understand the impact of their vote. Some of the opponents suggested that youth voters should take an extra test to prove their knowledge as a prerequisite to voting. As with many charter changes, this effort required extensive work sessions, public hearings, and a strong showing of community support.
The charter change passed in May 2013 after almost a year of debate, and that fall election was the first to include sixteen and seventeen-year-old voters. The city has separate ballots for local elections that it provides to all voters, including those under 18. In the future, depending on the state board of elections, the city would like to enact legislation to combine ballots. Now that the program is in place, there are no additional costs. Today, Takoma Park also includes non-residents and ranked-choice voting.
Collaborative Governance
In Takoma Park, the turnout rate for 16- and 17-year-olds not only exceeded that of every other demographic in the city’s 2013 and 2015 elections, but nearly quadrupled the overall average (Graph: Vox)
Takoma Park youth were passionate and relentless in their support for this measure. They showed up at public meetings to provide compelling testimony. They came prepared to public meetings to advocate for their right to vote in local decisions that would directly impact their lives and those of their families.
Their testimony successfully rebutted the opposition. One example of this was the argument for a civic education program for young voters. Advocates were able to push past this barrier by debunking misperceptions around the lack of civic education in schools.
The Executive Director of Fair Vote, a national advocacy organization in Takoma Park, was a strong advocate alongside champions on the city council and young residents and helped craft a strategy to build support for the idea. Youth groups also voiced strong support for the proposal, pushing it to the top of the legislative agenda.
Emphasis on equity
This legislation has a significant impact for immigrant families ranging from increased connectivity, opportunities to build more trust, and additional language access. Takoma Park has a very large immigrant community; about one-third of people were born outside the United States. The young people in those families are a point of connection to the broader community, especially if English is not the primary language at home. Having them engaged in city government has helped local government connect to that population, breaking down traditional barriers and increasing levels of trust.
It has encouraged young people to get engaged in the democratic process early, increasing the likelihood that they will be lifelong voters. Youth participation is higher among registered young people. In 2017, for example, 47.8 percent of registered youth voted compared with just 22 percent of all registered voters 18 and over. The percentage of youth voting has also increased every election cycle since 2013.
Lastly, it has pushed the city to be accountable to the young people as a voting block and to engage with them as a constituency. The high school newspaper interviews all the candidates during each election cycle and the city youth council established a voter forum in 2017. As a result, high youth engagement has contributed to successful campaigns for winning candidates.
Analysis
Preemption: The state of Maryland allows localities a significant amount of leeway in determining their election laws. Other states are not as flexible.
Local government dynamics: The council is progressive, but youth testimony was critical in building support among a few of the more reluctant members.
Policy impact: Youth turnout is increasing along with the likelihood that these youth will remain active and engaged voters throughout their lifetimes. More data will help assess positive long-term trends. Many of the concerns raised during the charter debate have not been an issue.
Last updated: January 19, 2021
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