CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE HOSTS VOTE16 TOWN HALL ENCOURAGING NEWARK YOUTH – AGES 16 AND UP – TO VOTE IN APRIL BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTION

Newark is first city in NJ and second largest city in the nation to lower the voting age to 16 for school board elections;

Young people in attendance learned about important voting information and registered to vote

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Newark, NJ—February 3, 2025—The City of Newark and the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice hosted a Vote16 Town Hall at Bethany Baptist Church on Saturday, February 1 to encourage young people ages 16 and 17 to vote in the upcoming school board elections. Newark is the first city in New Jersey and the second largest city in the nation to lower the voting age to 16 for school board elections.

“At a time when democracy is under fierce attack, Newark is taking an affirmative step to expand and strengthen our democracy by getting young people involved,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “This April, Newark’s 16- and 17-year-olds will have a say in who makes decisions that affect them every day – from what they learn, to school safety, to discrimination issues – even to school lunches. We need young voices now more than ever, and it is my hope that participating in this process will help establish a lifelong habit of civic responsibility.”

At the Town Hall, residents learned about how 16- and 17-year-olds are eligible to vote in the upcoming school board election. Attendees received important voting information and were able to register to vote onsite.

“Our students are our future, and there is no better way to have a say in your future than through civic engagement,” said Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Roger León. “I am so proud of all of our students who we will register to vote and will show up in April to have their voices heard about the issues that impact their everyday lives.”

“VOTE16 is a program close to my heart, and I am so proud to address the next generation of change makers,” said Congresswoman LaMonica McIver who represents New Jersey’s 10^thDistrict. “Your vote is your voice and our democracy is stronger, more diverse, and more representative when everyone’s voice is heard. Young people are our future, and I can’t wait to see what they achieve.”

As of today, more than 7,000 16- and 17-year-olds are eligible to register to vote for the April 15, 2025 school board election. The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming school board election is March 25, 2025.

“This April, we will strengthen our democracy by allowing more young people to vote in Newark’s school board election,” said President & CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice Ryan Haygood. “There are more than 7,000 16- and 17-year-olds, 90% of whom are Black and Brown, who are eligible to participate in the democratic process this spring. The Town Hall this weekend was one way we are trying to reach more young people to ensure their voices are heard this election.”

To learn more about Vote16, visit njisj.org/vote16.

For photos of the event, click here. Images provided by the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice.

For Mayor Ras J. Baraka’s video message to students, click here.

-NEWARK-

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.newarknj.gov

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