The milestone, reported by KQED's The Bay podcast, makes Albany one of a handful of East Bay cities that have extended voting rights to younger residents in local elections. The push was led in part by Albany High School seniors Margaret Montag, Caroline Snyder and Sophia Lara, who rallied classmates and worked to get out the youth vote ahead of the school board contest.

The change reflects a broader movement across the Bay Area to give 16- and 17-year-olds a say in local democracy, particularly in decisions that directly affect them, such as school board policies. Supporters argue that voting early builds lifelong civic habits and that teens are directly impacted by the choices school boards make about curriculum, budgets and campus safety.

For the students involved, the experience was a first taste of civic participation that many adults take for granted. The election buzz had faded for most adults by the time the teens were reflecting on their new role, but for them the thrill of voting was just beginning.

The expansion of youth voting in Albany follows similar efforts in other municipalities nationally and in California, where some cities have lowered the voting age for local races. The movement has gained traction as a way to engage young people in civic life and ensure their perspectives are represented in decisions that shape their education and communities.

With the school board election now behind them, the Albany teens are considering what their participation means for future elections and whether the experiment will inspire other cities to follow suit. For now, the students who organized the get-out-the-vote effort say they hope their work encourages more young people to see voting as a right and a responsibility, not just an adult ritual.