Teenagers in Berkeley and Oakland are making history by being able to vote in their local school board elections for the first time. This change came after the approval of Measure Y in Berkeley in 2016 and Measure QQ in Oakland in 2020, allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to participate in these elections.
Recently, a school board candidate forum was held where students, teachers, administrators, organizers, and candidates from the Oakland Unified School District gathered. The event aimed to register voters and educate attendees about the candidates running in the local school board contests. Issues such as access to health and wellness, community-centered schools, and essential life skills were highlighted as important concerns for Oakland students.
Members of the All City Council, a group of high school students representing student concerns to the OUSD, attended the forum to emphasize the significance of using their new voting rights. While not all students could vote yet, they showed support for the local youth vote and the impact it can have on their community.
Efforts to encourage youth voting have been ongoing, with organizations like Oakland Kids First distributing registration forms, raising awareness about voting, and implementing voting curriculum in OUSD schools. These initiatives have led to over 1,000 student voters being registered in the district.
At Berkeley High School, students have been actively involved in promoting youth voter registration and education. They organized a school board candidate forum and created a curriculum to educate their peers about the importance of voting. Despite some challenges in getting students to register, efforts are being made to increase student engagement in the electoral process.
Moving forward, organizers and educators hope to see continued momentum among students for future elections. The involvement of young voters in local school board races marks a significant step towards amplifying student voices and advocating for their needs within the education system.
As these young voters exercise their rights and engage in the democratic process, they are paving the way for a more inclusive and representative decision-making system in their communities. Their participation in the school board elections signifies a new chapter in civic engagement and empowerment among teenagers in Berkeley and Oakland.