Rockville residents have another opportunity to weigh in on significant changes to the city’s elections at a public hearing on Monday, November 9, 2026, at 7 p.m. The proposals include allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in municipal elections, establishing term limits for the Mayor and Council, and updating election procedures. A longer-term proposal would introduce ranked-choice voting and public campaign financing beginning in 2031.

The Mayor and Council held their first public hearings on November 2, when residents and advocates expressed sharply different views about lowering the voting age.

What Changes Are Being Proposed?

The Mayor and Council are considering amendments to Chapter 8 of the Rockville City Code, which governs municipal elections, along with three amendments to the City Charter.

The principal proposals include:

• Lowering the voting age to 16. Rockville residents ages 16 and 17 would be permitted to register and vote in municipal elections.
• Establishing term limits. The Mayor and Councilmembers would be limited to four consecutive four-year terms, or 16 consecutive years in office.
• Setting a minimum age for elected officials. Although 16- and 17-year-olds could vote, candidates for Mayor and Council would have to be at least 18 years old.
• Improving election administration. Changes would update campaign finance and enforcement provisions, clarify the responsibilities of the Board of Supervisors of Elections, add a third outdoor ballot drop box, and permit electronic petition signatures.
• Preparing for additional reforms in 2031. The proposed legislation outlines potential changes involving ranked-choice voting, public campaign financing, and rotating the order of candidates’ names on ballots. These would require further legislative and administrative action before implementation.

The proposals follow recommendations from Rockville’s Charter Review Commission and discussions with the Board of Supervisors of Elections. They also address administrative issues identified during the 2023 municipal election.

Residents Divided Over Lowering the Voting Age

Most of the public testimony on November 2 focused on whether 16- and 17-year-olds should be allowed to vote.