Jun 12, 2025
TRENTON — Over fifty sixteen and seventeen-year-olds, youth advocates, and community leaders convened yesterday at the New Jersey State House for the Vote16NJ Youth Lobby Day to lobby in support of S3240/A4369, the statewide bill that would lower the voting age to sixteen in school board elections across New Jersey.
This event was hosted by Vote16NJ — the entirely student-led movement that has lasted over five years to lower the voting age to sixteen in New Jersey local elections. The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, Vote16USA, and the New Jersey State Conference NAACP Youth & College were partners in the event.
Anjali Krishnamurti, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Vote16NJ said, “As the organizer of this impactful event, it was an honor to convene dozens of dedicated young student leaders from across New Jersey — each representing years of work, progress, passion, and unwavering commitment to this crucial fight for a voice in local school board elections. From speaking to elected officials to holding a powerful rally, to having a productive discussion with the Governor’s Office, this day made one thing unmistakably clear: We, the young people, will not be silenced.”
“There is so much at stake for young people at this critical moment in America’s history,” said Assatta Mann, Senior Community Organizer at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. “This is exactly the right time for New Jersey to stand up and not only embrace democracy, but expand it to young people whose lives are impacted every day by policies enacted by their School Boards. We urge the state to empower the next generation of voters.”
“The Vote 16 campaign is more than an initiative — it’s a powerful movement with the potential to transform generations. It empowers young people to take an active role in shaping the future of our nation and influencing state policy,” said Ryan Bates, the First President of the New Jersey State Conference NAACP Youth & College Division. “We are calling on legislators in the state of New Jersey to pass legislation that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote. Members of the NJ NAACP Youth and College Units are energized by this movement and the pivotal role they play in advancing it. We are proud to be part of this critical push for civic engagement and generational change.”
“This is what democracy looks like! Youth showing up, speaking out, and leading the charge for a more inclusive and representative future. Today’s lobby day at the State Capitol is a powerful reminder that when youth use their voices, they move policy, shift culture, and strengthen our democracy,” said La’Juan Allen, Executive Director of Vote16USA. “At Vote16USA, we are proud to stand alongside these youth organizers who are not just imagining change, they’re creating it.”
Governor Phil Murphy joined the students after a day of advocacy at the State House, reaffirming his strong support for the student-led fight to lower the voting age in school board elections across the state.
“Providing young people a voice in issues that directly impact their lives is not only the right thing to do, but also helps making voting into a lifelong habit,” said Governor Murphy. “I applaud all the youth advocates taking part in today’s Vote16NJ lobby day at the New Jersey State House and encourage our lawmakers to empower the next generation by giving them a vote in local school board elections.”
Sponsors of S3240 and A4369 and steadfast advocates for the powerful voices of sixteen and seventeen-year-olds include Senator Raj Mukherji and Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker. Senator Andrew Zwicker is a co-sponsor and strong advocate for the Senate bill.
Senator Raj Mukherji (LD-32), who attended and spoke at the Vote16NJ rally, explained how lowering the voting age to sixteen is a common sense policy: “Five Latin American countries at the federal level already allow sixteen-year-olds to vote,” said Mukherji. He chanted with youth organizers, “Our schools, our vote,” as they rallied in front of the State House.
“Our 16 and 17-year-olds can work, pay taxes, and attend school 180 days a year, yet they have no say in the school board decisions that shape their education,” said Senator Andrew Zwicker (LD-16). “Lowering the voting age for school board elections will give young people a voice in policies that directly impact their futures, build lifelong civic engagement, and help raise turnout in local elections that don’t get the attention they deserve. There’s no better way to turn the next generation into lifelong voters than by giving them a voice in the elections that matter most.”
Sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds and youth-led organizations remain strong and at the forefront of the fight for their representation in school board elections — elections that impact their daily lives and futures.
Nathan Duguid, the founder and Executive Director of the Young Voters Association, said, “The unity and commitment that these young people have shown reminds me of the youth that have stood on the front lines of every movement for freedom in this country’s history. It’s about time we learn from that history, and instead of stifling and doubting the next generation, let’s empower them, and amplify their voices.”
"Lowering the voting age to 16 for school board elections is not a partisan issue - it’s a democratic one. When Democrats and Republicans can come together to amplify youth voices, it shows a commitment to fairness, representation, and the future of civic engagement in New Jersey," said Saanvi Kulkarni, the Director of Communications for the New Jersey High School Democrats.
Students are not only advocating at the state level, but also within their own communities at the local level. In January 2024, Newark was the first city in New Jersey to pass the historic ordinance to lower the voting age to sixteen in Newark School Board elections.
“The youth are the future and it is important for the future of our country that they are educated correctly and they know that their voice matters,” said Emmanuel Adoela, a 17-year-old organizer from Newark and a member of Vote16NJ. “For us to properly prepare them for the future by engaging them and giving them a sense of responsibility, that is what this movement is all about. And that is what Newark has done — laid the foundation for the future. To allow their youth to start to be involved and have a sense of participation.”
The mobilization to continue to lower the voting age in other cities has remained strong among young leaders in municipalities around New Jersey, who are fighting at the local level to push the state to pass a statewide bill.
Sai Saanvi Prathap and Matthew Bassily, members of Vote16NJ and organizers for the Vote16NJ efforts in Monroe, NJ, said, “The decisions made in [the Board of Education] impact students more than anyone else. But none of us have a vote. We aren’t even in the conversation. If no one is willing to listen, why bother showing up? We are committed to changing this standard through local and statewide outreach, research, and advocacy.”
