'Vote 17' proposal for Mass. city gets boost

BOSTON (AP) -- The Massachusetts House has advanced a bill that would allow 17-year-olds in Lowell to vote in city elections.

The "Vote 17" proposal also got a boost when Secretary of State William Galvin dropped his concerns about the constitutionality of the bill. That happened after sponsors made a slight change in the wording of the measure.

The Sun of Lowell reports that the home-rule petition, if passed, would make Lowell the only city in the U.S. where 17-year-olds can vote in municipal elections. The voting age would remain 18 for all other regional, state and federal elections.

The House gave initial approval to the measure on Thursday.

The bill is sponsored by the United Teen Equality Center. Supporters say it would be a positive way for young people to get involved in civic affairs.