The Flag of Maryland (Photo by Kaitlyn Mullin)

Yesterday in Takoma Park, Md., some 16 and 17 year-olds geared up to vote for the first time in local elections. 

 Earlier this year, members of the Takoma Park City Council amended the City Charter, lowering the voting age to 16 and expanding the right to vote to residents convicted of a felony that have served their time. 

 Young voters had the opportunity to exercise their new rights yesterday at the first local elections since the new legislation. 

 Though the right extends only to local elections, and the mayor and many of this year’s candidates were running unopposed, this is the first legislation in America to allow anyone under the age of 18 to vote in government elections.  

 According to an article written by a member of the Takoma City Council back in May when the change was enacted, the 6-1 vote made Takoma Park the first city in the country to lower the voting age to 16. The Takoma Park City Council has “little doubt” that other counties will follow suit, according to the article. 

A University of Maryland sophomore from Takoma Park, Molly Ellison, supports this act.

“I’m for it," said Ellison. "It’s important to get people acclimated to voting at a younger age because they value it more as they get older.” 

 Maryland was also the first state to allow 17-year olds to vote in primary elections, a practice that has now spread to 20 other states, though California is not one of them.

Some University of Southern California students agreed with this practice.

“What makes us ready to vote at 18?" said USC junior Amanda Ransdell. "If you have an opinion and you understand what is going on, you can vote. Plenty of people vote who are older than 16 who don’t have a clue.”

 The voting age was reduced to increase election turnouts, which are around 20 percent, and foster a commitment to election participation in the younger generations that lasts for a long time.

 Voting is habitual, so younger voting ages may encourage long-term commitment to voting, says the councilmember in his article. 

"I think it's a great idea, because the earlier people are given the power to represent their views in politics, the more involved they will become and I hope teenagers will take advantage of the opportunity," said USC freshman Joshua Blockstein, who is from Takoma Park. "From living in Takoma Park, I know that most people are very politically informed, including teenagers, and I expect they will become involved."

 Local officials estimate that about 90 newly eligible 16- and 17-year olds have registered as voters since the new legislation was enacted in May, a disappointing turnout considering the purpose of the change.   

However, some students disagreed.

 “Sixteen-year olds shouldn’t vote because they are not stable mentally," said USC sophomore Akeallah Blair. "I believe their brains are not developed to an adult’s level. They should be independent, relying on themselves not their parents, before they make political decisions that impact everyone.” 

A major criticism is that 16- and 17- year olds are not knowledgeable to make voting decisions.

 “Sixteen year olds should not be allowed to vote until they know enough about the way our country operates, the social challenges it faces, and the way its choices influence the world at large,” said junior Sydney Tuss.  

Read more about Takoma Park's new voting age here.

Reach Staff Writer Kaitlyn Mullin here and follow her on Twitter here.