Education Opportunities and Policy Implications
Commentary author
Summary

For the first time, 16- and 17-year-olds in Oakland and Berkeley, California, are voting in school board elections, thanks to local measures passed in 2020 and 2016, respectively. These policies were the result of sustained efforts by the Oakland Youth Vote coalition, working with the Oakland Unified School District and Alameda County Registrar of Voters. Oakland and Berkeley join a growing number of U.S. cities, including Newark and several in Maryland, that allow teens to vote in local elections. Advocates argue that younger voting ages enhance civic engagement, boost political knowledge, and encourage life-long voting habits. This year’s elections in Oakland and Berkeley are seen as a critical test for the implementation of this policy, offering potential insights into its impact on student civic education and participation.

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