During a visit to Hoboken High School, Governor Phil Murphy reiterated his support for legislation S3240/A4369, which would enable 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in their local school board elections.
Joined by the legislation’s first prime sponsors, Senator Raj Mukherji and Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker, the Governor participated in an AP Government and Politics lesson on the foundational documents of the United States. Following the class, he spoke to students about civic engagement and voting.
“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," 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."
This legislation builds on previous efforts by Governor Murphy to enfranchise young people. Earlier this year, he signed the “New Voter Empowerment Act,” allowing registered voters who are 17 years old by a primary election date to vote if they turn 18 before the next general election.
Sponsors of S3240/A4369 include Senators Raj Mukherji and Brian Stack along with Assemblywomen Cleopatra Tucker and Jessica Ramirez.
“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,” said Senator Raj Mukherji.
“Giving 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in school board elections will encourage early civic engagement,” said Senator Brian Stack.
“Local elections matter and if we could empower our youth to vote in school board elections, we could ensure their voices are heard,” said Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker.
“By allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to participate in school board elections, we would foster their civic engagement,” said Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez.
"Supporting 16 year-olds' right to vote is an important step in expanding our democracy," said Erik Cruz Morales from New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice.
"The number one question our nonprofit gets around election time is ‘Who do I vote for for the school board?’” said Uyen "Winn" Khuong from Action Together New Jersey. “Empowering students with the vote will effectively cause candidates to be public with why they are running.”
“Governor Murphy is setting a national example in his unwavering commitment to youth voting rights & generational equity," said LaJuan Allen from Vote16USA at Generation Citizen.
"It’s time we recognize that Newark’s success in lowering the voting age is just the beginning," said Amanda A. Ebokosia from The Gem Project, Inc.
“Our democracy is stronger when more people are engaged,” said Micauri Vargas from New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. “Young people deserve a voice about issues that directly affect their lives every day.”
“Voting is fundamental," said Sarah Fajardo from ACLU-NJ Policy Director. "Ensuring that 16- and 17-year-olds can vote empowers young people."
"The Youth Voter 16 effort represents a bold step towards a more inclusive democracy," said Rev. Dr. Charles F. Boyer from Salvation and Social Justice.
"Allowing teens to vote strengthens our democracy," added Raisa Rubin-Stankiewicz from March for Our Lives New Jersey.
"In 1957 , Little Rock Nine integrated Central High School," noted NAACP New Jersey State Conference Youth Division."If youth can fight for civil rights, then we most certainly can vote."
