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Howard County delegation votes to send 16–17 voting amendment for school board to the voters
Summary
The Howard County delegation voted to advance HOCO 526, a county-specific constitutional amendment that—if later approved by the General Assembly and voters—would let 16- and 17-year-olds vote in school board elections. Delegates discussed implementation, citizenship requirements and committee referral.
The Howard County delegation voted to advance HOCO 526 on March 4, sending a county-specific constitutional amendment to the General Assembly and, if approved there, to the November ballot for a local vote. Delegate Tarasa, who introduced the measure, said it “lets 16 and 17 year olds vote in the regular election, both the primary and the general, for board of education members.”
Delegates clarified the mechanics before voting. A staff member explained that because the amendment affects only one county, Article 14, Section 1 of the Maryland Constitution requires both a statewide majority and a majority of Howard County voters for final approval. Delegates also confirmed that eligible young voters would have to be U.S. citizens.
Delegates heard that local election officials view implementation as manageable: adjustments would be needed for the general election ballot, and staff said the change could be accommodated in 2028 with greater ease once a new elections system is in place in 2030. The bill was referred to the Government, Labor, and Elections committee for additional vetting and then advanced by roll call; the delegation recorded the motion and announced that HOCO 526 passed its internal vote to move forward to the General Assembly.
Supporters said moving the measure forward allows state committees and voters statewide to weigh in; a detractor registered a dissenting vote during the roll call. The delegation’s action is procedural—it sends the proposed constitutional amendment to the Legislature and, if the Legislature approves scheduling of the amendment, to the November ballot for voter approval.
The delegation noted next steps: committee consideration at the General Assembly and, if passed there, the requirement that a majority of Maryland voters and a majority of Howard County voters approve the amendment in a referendum. The delegation did not adopt implementation timelines beyond the general observation that 2028 was feasible given election-workload adjustments.
