The Youth Action Coalition first spoke before the council last November, garnering the support of several councillors.

Since then, the group has kept in contact with city and school officials in hopes of persuading them to support the measure. The campaign has received the endorsement of many CRLS faculty members, as well as CRLS Principal Paula Evans and School Committee member E. Denise Simmons.

Some councillors, however, still have reservations about lowering the voting age.

Councillor Marjorie C. Decker said she is concerned that lowering the voting age could have implications on the juvenile criminal justice system, saying some may claim that if 16-year-olds can vote then they should be treated as "adults for all purposes," including being tried as adults for crimes.

"Eighteen is the legal age of responsibility and what this society supports as a sign of adulthood," Decker said. "You can't pass this measure without worrying about these consequences. With rights come responsibilities."

Some councillors said they believe 16 is too young, but that they may support allowing 17-year-olds to vote. Student coalition members counter by saying that since local elections are held only every two years, lowering the age to 16 would guarantee that students would be allowed to vote at least once during high school.

Other opponents said that 18 should remain the cutoff age, adding that students can get involved in politics in other ways, such as volunteering for campaigns and attending public meetings.

Five students each year already serve on the Student School Committee, allowing them to sit in on regular School Committee meetings and give advice to committee members.