The Newark City Council on Wednesday moved forward with a resolution that would allow 16-year-olds to vote in local school board elections. The council voted unanimously in support of the resolution.

“Mayor Baraka and the administration is fully supportive of that legislation. We believe that the students in this city should have a right in how they are educated and the manner in which their schools are run and their right to be involved in the electoral process and civics in general,” said Eric Pennington, a business administrator for the City of Newark.

The ordinance will have a second hearing and vote early next month. If adopted, it could be in place for school elections in April.