A Vermont town, Brattleboro, with a population of 7,500, has recently made a significant decision to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local elections. Those who will turn 18 by the November general election will also be permitted to participate in the state's presidential primaries on Super Tuesday. This move aims to engage young voters in the democratic process and empower them to have a say in local governance.
The change to the town's charter required legislative approval, which faced initial resistance from the Republican Governor. However, the Democratic-controlled Legislature eventually overrode the veto, enabling more teenagers in Brattleboro to exercise their voting rights and even run for the primary governing body.
