And students say that being allowed to vote would give them a voice in City Council and School Committee decisions that directly affect them.

Several prominent figures came out in support of the measure, including State Representative Jarrett T. Barrios ’90, who said the measure also had the support of Representative Alice K. Wolf. The Mass. State legislature would have to approve any home rule petition passed by the council.

“We are here to support and help you if you see fit to pass this proposal on to us in the state legislature,” Barrios said.

Cambridge school committee member C. Denise Simmons—who recently announced that she is running in the fall’s city council election—said that lowering the voting age would have a “trickle-up” effect, as more activity by students would encourage parents to become more involved in voting.

“Young people can show parents how to move forward and be involved,” Simmons said.

But in much confusion, the vote on the measure was delayed three times to clear up red tape about the vote.

Councillor Jim Braude, who introduced the measure, had not formally submitted a petition to the council, but had simply submitted a report from one of the council’s committees.