During the three lengthy recesses to clear up confusion over the proposal, councillors chatted informally with students, who waited impatiently for the council to act on the measure.

After the debate was settled, each councillor then declared his or her reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with the motion, wih the council splitting in a five to four vote against the measure.

Councillors opposed the measure for a variety of reasons—among them a concern that lowering the voting age would make minors more susceptible to being charged as adults, and a concern that high school students would be manipulated by political campaigns.

“The last thing I want to see is councillors greeting students in the hallways,” said Vice Mayor David P. Maher.

Other councillors felt the measure may hurt a pending effort to allow non-citizen immigrants to vote in school committee elections.

But Braude supported the proposal until the end with his argument that early voting would increase adult participation.

“Habits formed when still in the home—whether smoking cigarettes or voting—are retained and repeated in adulthood,” Braude said.

Councillor Kathleen L. Born, who is usually one of the most liberal council members, surprised some by being the tiebreaker and opposing the measure.