A new bill introduced in the New Jersey Legislature would allow voters as young as 16-years-old to vote in their local school board elections.
Under the bill, municipalities would be allowed to opt in by placing the question on a general election ballot as a public question, if they can collect supporting signatures of 15% of the voters who voted in the district at the preceding presidential election, or upon the adoption of a resolution by the board of education of the school district, or the governing body of the local municipality.
Earlier this year, the Newark City Council became the first municipality in the state to lower the voting age to 16 in school board elections.
The legislation also has the support of Governor Phil Murphy, who in his annual State of the State address in January, asked state lawmakers to send him a bill expanding voting rights for that age group.
“I know, to some, this may sound unconventional. But voting is a lifelong habit. And studies show that, if a person votes in one election, they are more likely to turn out in the next election,” Murphy said in his speech. “So, encouraging our young neighbors to engage with democracy is really about encouraging them to become lifelong voters.”
The New Jersey Constitution doesn’t prohibit voting under the age of 18 and local governments in the state have the authority to set the voting age for local races.
If such a law was adopted in Lakewood, it would allow approximately 7,000 new voters to vote in school board elections.
The bill has been referred to the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee.
The Democrats are so desperate for votes! It’s sad!
This is the Democrats first step. Next step allow them to vote in the local elections then the general elections. Finally the illegals will start to vote.
The state allows the illegals to get driver license and on the form it asks if they would like to register to vote.
The Democrats have a long term plan and it is not for the benefit of anyone but Democrats!!!!
Has anyone talked to a 16 year old recently? Its like talking to a brick wall. They don’t understand the simplest things in life yet and we want to give them the right to vote? Democrats live in their own world and will never get it..by it i mean the reality of maturity and real life.
Sixteen-Year-Old Announces He’s Casting His Vote For His “Best Friend Billy” In His Local School Board Election Due To Billy’s Staunch Support Of Longer Recess Breaks & Extended Spring Vacations
When asked to name a candidate that he would support in his local school board elections if given the green light to vote, 16-year-old NJ resident, Tommy Freeforall, told reporters on Sunday: “I would definitely vote to put my best friend Billy on the local school board because he staunchly supports longer recess breaks like I do, and he is also a strong advocate of adding an additional three weeks to the mid-winter and spring break vacations.”
When asked whether he would take up his friend’s advice and join the local school board if elected, Tommy’s 16-year-od friend, Billy, told reporters on Sunday:
“Are you nuts?! School board meetings are held in the evening hours when my buddies and I are busy stirring up mischief and mayhem in the neighborhood. I’m sorry, but I got better things to do with my life than to join the local school board.”
“Do me a favor,” he added, “don’t listen to my crazy friend, Tommy! He’s just trying to annoy me! If he wants to join the school board, that’s fine with me, but tell him to leave me out of this conversation, okay?!”
It is actually funny that people are getting so up in arms about 16 year olds possibly, with the approval of the municipality, getting a tiny fraction of a voice regarding the school board that rules over their lives.
Phil Murphy is as corrupt as they come. This is a knuckle head corrupt move.