A small Vermont town of 7,500 people has granted 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in local elections in March, the Associated Press reported Thursday.
The city of Brattleboro is also allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to run for local office and be elected as delegates to annual town meetings, where local issues are often decided. Associated Press.
The future is now: 16- and 17-year-olds gain the right to vote in local elections in Vermont town
16- and 17-year-olds in a Vermont town will be able to vote in local elections next week. pic.twitter.com/KHAxW81pWO
— Lam Elections (@ElectionsL74788) February 29, 2024
But those teens will not be allowed to serve on the local school board, as provided for in the original reforms approved by town residents in 2019, the Associated Press reported.
These amendments to the town charter required approval from the state legislature, which was finally approved in 2023.The approval came only after the Democratic-controlled Legislature was able to muster enough votes to override Republican Gov. Phil Scott's veto. report.
“I'm not too young or too naive to know what's going on and what I want to be,” Cyrus Brubaker, 17, said, according to the Associated Press. Told. “And when those things are contradictory, it feels very unfair and wrong for me to not be able to do anything in an official sense. I can give my opinion, but I can't do anything in a legal sense, but now I can do it, so I'm really excited,” the teenager added.
At least 37 teens have registered to vote so far, the newspaper reported.
Back in January, the number of young voters registered was just five. “I think so far it's really down to our colleagues, teachers and parents encouraging young voters to come out and register to vote,” said Brattleboro Town Clerk Hilary Francis. Said Vermont Public in January.
“This is the future, and these are the people who vote in our elections, and these are the people who run for office in our elections,” high school senior Eva Gould said, according to the Associated Press. Reported. “Honestly, they know a lot more than a lot of people,” she added.
