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New Jersey has proposed legislation that allows 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local school board elections.
NEW JERSEY — In a groundbreaking move, New Jersey has proposed legislation that allows 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local school board elections, expanding the civic participation of young residents in decisions that directly impact their education and community. Sponsored by Senators Raj Mukherji and Brian P. Stack, this legislative package is designed to empower youth by giving them a say in who leads their local school districts.
The newly introduced bill, known as Senate No. 3240, permits any person who is at least 16 years old, a U.S. citizen, and has resided in the school district for at least 30 days prior to the election to vote in their local school board elections. This bill is an addition to the existing statutes, which only allowed individuals aged 18 or older to participate in state elections. Under this new act, those under 18 are restricted exclusively to school board votes within their school district of residence.
Under the provisions of this legislation, 16- and 17-year-olds who are U.S. citizens and residents of the district for at least 30 days are eligible to vote for school board members. However, this eligibility does not extend to any other types of elections within the state. To facilitate this change, the Secretary of State is required to create a registration form and process specifically for 16- and 17-year-olds, closely mirroring the procedures currently in place for older eligible voters. This includes developing a method for verifying the identity of young voters, ensuring integrity and consistency with the verification processes used for the general voting population.
The bill also mandates the creation of paper ballots for these young voters to use in school board elections, which ensures that the voting process for 16- and 17-year-olds is streamlined and compatible with the administration of elections across New Jersey. Importantly, the legislation does not place any new obligations on school boards or municipalities; instead, the responsibility for administering and organizing the process lies with the state. The law will take effect starting January 1 of the year following its enactment.
“I am constantly amazed by New Jersey’s remarkable young people, and I believe they deserve the opportunity to meaningfully engage with our democratic system. In New Jersey, we have made it a priority to expand access to the vote by instituting early in-person voting and establishing online voter registration, among other critical reforms, because all eligible voters should have the opportunity to cast their ballots in our elections,” said Governor Murphy. “Local school board elections directly impact the day-to-day lives of 16 and 17-year-old students, and we have the opportunity to instill in them the lifelong value of voting. Casting your ballot is a simple and effective way to help shape the future. I look forward to the day this bill lands on my desk."
The introduction of this legislation marks a significant shift in local governance and youth empowerment in New Jersey. Allowing younger individuals to participate in school board elections is expected to foster civic engagement early in life. By including high school juniors and seniors in the decision-making process, the legislation aims to make the education system more inclusive and responsive to the needs of students. School board decisions have a direct impact on the quality of education and school environment, affecting curriculum choices, extracurricular activities, and overall resource allocation. By granting 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote, this law ensures that the individuals most affected by these decisions have a voice in selecting the board members who make them.
“By enfranchising 16- and 17-year-olds – the voters most directly impacted by local school board decisions – we can address chronically low voter turnout in school board elections and improve long-term voter participation by instilling the habit in teenagers, while counteracting diminishing civic engagement and levels of trust,” said Senator Raj Mukherji. “Data from the various other U.S. and foreign jurisdictions that have done this shows no harms result, while the benefits are quantifiable."
The new bill also has the potential to diversify school board membership and decisions. With younger voters involved, candidates may be encouraged to address student-focused issues more prominently, such as mental health resources, inclusivity policies, and innovative learning approaches. This inclusion of a younger demographic could lead to school boards that are more in tune with the needs and concerns of the student body.
“Giving 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in school board elections will encourage early civic engagement and empower students to have a direct say in shaping their education,” said Senator Brian Stack. “Student’s perspectives offer us valuable insight and deserve to be a part of the process."
Of course, there may be challenges in implementing this new system. The state will need to ensure that the registration process, ballot design, and election administration are appropriately adapted for younger voters. There may also be challenges in effectively verifying identities and ensuring accessibility for students who may not be as familiar with the voting process. However, the state’s commitment to establishing a well-structured framework for these voters aims to mitigate such challenges.
New Jersey's move to include younger voters in local school board elections is a progressive step toward inclusive governance. It reflects an understanding that youth deserve a voice in the decisions that shape their educational experience, setting a precedent for greater youth participation in civic matters. As this legislation takes effect, the impact of this expanded electorate will be closely observed, with the potential to inspire similar changes in other states.
