Voters in Amherst Tuesday endorsed a non-binding resolution supporting lowering the drinking age to 19 for people who wish to consume beer and wine.
But voters in Precinct 1 in Granby and Pelham, which are also part of the 3rd Hampshire District, rejected the measure, with nearly 71 percent voting against in Granby and 59 percent of Pelham voters rejecting the measure.
Throughout the district, the measure passed 8,483 to 8,173. But that was carried by a 7,596 – 6,369 margin in Amherst, whereas in Granby the vote was 1,292 against and 533 in support. In Pelham 512 voters rejected lowering the drinking age, while 354 voted in favor of it.
The idea came from Washington, D.C., resident Matthew Malone, who got the non-binding referendum question on the ballot in the three towns that encourages the state Legislature to reduce the drinking age from 21 to 19.
He said he sees the drinking age as age discrimination against adults.
The non-binding question asked, “Shall the state representative from this district be instructed to vote in favor of legislation that lowers the drinking age to age 19 for wines and malt beverages and maintains the drinking age at 21 for all other alcoholic beverages?”
Amherst Democrat Solomon Goldstein-Rose, who was elected to a first term on Election Day, will represent the 3rd Hampshire District beginning in January.
Malone said he understood that the federal government could withhold transportation money if states reduce the drinking age, but he believes there is an opportunity to seek a waiver from this law. Other states, including Vermont, have pursued similar legislation, he said.
Setting the age at 19, Malone said, would ensure that most high school students would not be able to drink alcohol legally.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
