The Cambridge City Council rejected an effort to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in Cambridge municipal elections last night, deciding the voting age should remain 18 in the city.

In an often confusing and tense meeting, the council voted 5-4 against the amended version of a proposal brought forward by the Youth Action Coalition, a group of Cambridge Rindge and Latin (CRLS) students who were trying to enfranchise themselves in city council and school committee hearings.

Dozens of students and their supporters packed into the council chamber, with more students filling the upper level balcony, a rare occurrence for council meetings.

Students held signs and banners supporting their cause, and wore bright yellow pins proclaiming “Expand Democracy!”

During the public comment period, supporters of the measure said that lowering the voting age would encourage more youth voter participation, educating students about the election process so that they would continue to participate in the future.

“Voting in high school provides a structured entrance into the democratic process,” said one CRLS student.

Supporters said there was no reason to believe that 16 is too young to vote.

“Being younger doesn’t mean being immature,” said CRLS student Patty Ford.