Proposed NJ Law Would Let 16-Year-Olds Vote In School Elections

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The Senate bill is co-sponsored by Senators Raj Mukherji and Brian Stack. The Assembly bill is co-sponsored by Assemblywomen Cleopatra Tucker and Jessica Ramirez.

The proposed law has picked up support from civil rights advocates, who say that it’s a win-win proposition for “democracy.” According to Newark-based nonprofit New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ), the proposed law could impact almost 240,000 young people across the state.

Not everyone is on board with lowering the voting age, however.

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A study from 2012 said that the main argument made against lowering the voting age is that young people under 18 “lack the ability and motivation to participate effectively in the electoral process.”

Another study authored by a professor of law at Boston University in 2020 said there are two main risks to lowering the voting age to 16: giving politicians and lobbyists more access to juveniles, and undermining the “protective commitments” that are made to youth in school, in the justice system and in the child welfare system.

Some Patch readers have put the theory more plainly. “Yes, let’s give the right to vote to kids who eat Tide pods,” one commenter quipped in a recent article on the topic.

But supporters of lowering the voting age for school elections argue that the reality of the situation doesn’t match up with critics’ fears, and that 16-year-old are definitely capable of voting responsibly. What’s more, they have a direct stake in local school boards elections, advocates say – after all, they’re the ones attending class.

According to the NJISJ:

“Many people under 18 already have ‘adult’ responsibilities, such as being the primary caregiver for an ailing family member, managing a part-time job while attending school, running a business or making substantial financial contributions to their households. Allowing younger people to vote encourages early civic engagement and can foster a lifelong habit of voting.”

“Whether it’s what they learn, discrimination or even how safe they are from gun violence, 16- and 17-year-olds are directly affected by the policies enacted by their school boards, yet have no say in who makes them,” said Micauri Vargas, an associate counselor with the nonprofit.

“Once this bill becomes law, that will change and these young people will have a voice at the ballot box – a win-win for them and our democracy overall,” Vargas said.

Last year, the NJISJ released a report that pushed to lower the voting age statewide – for all elections in New Jersey. Several high school and college students in New Jersey spoke to the NJISJ as part of its study, urging their fellow Garden State residents to take up the call.

“If kids are old enough to be forced to give birth, they should have the right to vote for or against the policies affecting them,” college student Lelah Tekhna said.

Another argument for lowering the voting age? Taxation without representation, an unnamed high school student told the NJISJ.

“16- and 17-year-olds are old enough to work and be taxed, but currently have no say in laws or policies that affect them,” the youth said.

Other young supporters of the campaign included a high school who urged Baby Boomers to remember their own experience during the Vietnam War. The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution lowered the voting age to 18 in 1971.

“The students in the Vietnam era protested to lower the voting age to 18 because 18-year-olds were being sent off to die without a voice,” the student said. “Well now, 16- and 17-year-olds are being killed and attacked literally and figuratively without a seat at the table. They are pawns on the political table, without a means to protect themselves.”

Advocates echoed this message in their renewed call for lowering the voting age this week.

“Just as New Jersey led the fight to enfranchise 18-year-olds just over 50 years ago, we hope that the future passage of this bill will serve as an example for states across the country,” said Anjali Krishanmurti and Yenjay Hu, executive directors of Vote16NJ.

The NJISJ pointed out that Newark has already broken the ice for the rest of New Jersey, lowering its local voting age for school board elections to 16 earlier this year. Read More: Newark First In NJ To Lower Voting Age To 16 For School Elections

Gov. Phil Murphy supported the measure in Newark and has encouraged the trend to continue, advocates said. And local teens in New Jersey are continuing their push to make sure the movement spreads.

“Students deserve a say in who makes our school board policies because they affect us every day, so seeing this movement grow beyond Newark is so rewarding,” said Nathaniel Esubonteng, a student at Science Park High School in Newark.

“I was so proud to be a part of the movement to lower the voting age for school board elections in Newark,” agreed Breanna Campbell, another student at Science Park.

“Our advocacy and victory were so rewarding, and I’m excited to see the idea taking hold on the state level,” Campbell added.

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