Should 16-Year-Olds Vote? Gov. Murphy Discusses Issue At Hoboken High School

HOBOKEN, NJ — Should 16- and 17-year-olds get to vote in school board elections? Leaders of a national movement have raised the issue, and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy discussed it with teens at Hoboken High on Tuesday.

Murphy reiterated his support of legislation, S3240/A4369, which would enable 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in their local school board elections, according to a release from his office.

Murphy did so during a visit to an AP Government and Politics classroom at the school.

Two of the legislation’s sponsors, Senator Raj Mukherji and Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker, were also there.

The governor also spoke to students about the importance of civic engagement and the power of making one’s voice heard at the polls, his office said.

“I am constantly amazed by New Jersey’s remarkable young people, and I believe they deserve the opportunity to meaningfully engage with our democratic system," Murphy said. "In New Jersey, we have made it a priority to expand access to the vote by instituting early in-person voting and establishing online voter registration, among other critical reforms, because all eligible voters should have the opportunity to cast their ballots in our elections."

He added, "Local school board elections directly impact the day-to-day lives of 16 and 17-year-old students, and we have the opportunity to instill in them the lifelong value of voting."

Earlier this year, Murphy signed the “New Voter Empowerment Act,” allowing any registered voter who is 17 years of age by the time of a primary election to vote in that primary if they turn 18 years old on or before the next general election.

Sponsors of S3240/A4369 include Senators Raj Mukherji and Brian Stack along with Assemblywomen Cleopatra Tucker and Jessica Ramirez.

“By enfranchising 16- and 17-year-olds ,the voters most directly impacted by local school board decisions, we can address chronically low voter turnout in school board elections and improve long-term voter participation,” said Mukherji, who is from Jersey City.

In January of this year, Newark's City Council gave 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in school board elections.

But not everyone likes the idea. Some say that younger teens don't have enough education or motivation to vote, and others are worry that they'll be unfairly influenced and pressured. READ MORE: Newark Lowers Voting Age To 16 For School Elections

Hoboken voters can choose any three out of four school board candidates this November. READ MORE: Four Run For 3 Seats On Hoboken School Board