Young people are directly affected by school board policies more than ever now and feel passionately about them – but they have no power to elect people to represent their interests. They are excluded from participating in the democratic process for no valid reason.
Allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections will not only give them that voice, but will strengthen our democracy as a whole, making it more inclusive, representative and dynamic. New Jersey – and its municipalities – should follow Newark’s example and lower the voting age to 16 for school board elections.
