Gov. Phil Murphy proposed dedicating $1 million in state funding to support his ongoing push for 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections.
Newark became the first city in the state to allow youth to vote in school board elections—Newarkers 16 and older will be able to vote in those local elections for the first time this April.
Murphy, along with other top Democrats, has called for statewide enactment of the policy. If approved by the legislature, the $1 million in funds could be used for voter education, relevant IT expenditures, and other related spending.
Murphy announced his proposal during his final budget address Tuesday afternoon.
“Our budget will provide grants to municipal leaders across New Jersey to create new opportunities for 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local school board elections, just as they are already doing in our state’s largest city, Newark,” Murphy said during the address. “Over the past year, I have been proud to help lead the charge for youth voting rights because young Americans are the future of our country and, in a world as complicated as ours, they deserve the right to help shape that future.”
Newark approved plans to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote last year, but technological difficulties meant the program couldn’t take effect until this April’s school board elections.
Officials hope allowing teens 16 and up to vote for school board members will boost turnout—fewer than 3% of the city’s residents voted in last April’s school board election.