18-Year-Old College Student Elected Mayor of Arkansas City

Jaylen Smith at the Arkansas Black Mayors Association 50th Anniversary Gala, held in Little Rock, Ark., on Sept. 10, 2022. Helaine R. Williams/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP

EARLE, Ark.—An 18-year-old college student has been elected to serve as mayor of a small east Arkansas city, becoming one of the youngest people to serve as a city’s top leader in the United States.

Jaylen Smith was elected mayor of Earle in Tuesday’s runoff election, winning 235 votes to Nemi Matthews’ 183, according to complete but unofficial results.