Newark Teenagers Register to Vote in School Board Elections

Youth Voting Initiative in Newark

• 🗳️ Newark is allowing 16 and 17 year olds to vote in School Board elections for the first time, with over 1,600 teenagers registered.
• 💡 Students at Science Park High School are actively registering their peers, emphasizing the importance of having a say in their future.

Student Engagement and Advocacy

• 🗣️ 17-year-old Devin Mitchell is moderating a youth-led forum for the 10 candidates vying for three open seats.
• 🌱 Student Zuri Mun is part of a campaign to encourage younger students to register, believing early engagement fosters lifelong voting habits.
• 🏛️ Seniors Brianna Quist and Nathaniel Esub were instrumental in Newark passing the ordinance, testifying before the council.

Potential Statewide Impact

• 🚀 The initiative, which started in Newark, could be replicated across New Jersey if a bill allowing 16 to 17 year olds to vote statewide is passed.
• 🌟 Governor Phil Murphy and other Democrats support this measure, potentially making New Jersey the first state with this voting demographic for school board elections.
• 🗓️ Student and school officials have been registering voters since February, with the deadline approaching at the end of Tuesday.