Trenton, NJ—A proposed bill in New Jersey would permit 16- —and 17-year-old U.S. citizens residing in the state to vote in local school board elections. If passed, this initiative would apply only to school districts that adopt the bill’s provisions.
New Jersey law currently restricts voting rights to individuals at least 18 years old, U.S. citizens, and residents of the district where they wish to vote. This bill, however, seeks to extend the voting privilege specifically for school board elections to younger citizens aged 16 and 17.
The bill stipulates that a school district can decide to allow 16- —and 17-year-olds to vote either through a public question on the general election ballot or by a resolution from the board of education or the district’s governing municipal bodies. For a public question to be placed on the ballot, supporters must gather signatures from 15% of the voters who participated in the preceding presidential election within the district.
The Division of Elections in the Department of State will establish the necessary rules to facilitate the registration and voting process for 16 and 17-year-olds. This includes:
- Creating a registration process for young voters.
- Establishing a list of acceptable identification forms for these voters, such as State IDs, learner’s permits, work permits, and school transcripts.
- Providing guidelines for a form of paper ballot specifically for 16 and 17-year-olds to use in school board elections.
This legislative effort represents a significant step towards engaging younger citizens in the democratic process at a local level.