Newark teens vote little after voting age lowered

Newark, New Jersey, saw only 4% of eligible 16- and 17-year-olds vote in a school board election after the voting age was lowered. This low turnout occurred despite efforts to encourage youth participation. The election, held on April 15th, saw 73 teen voters participate out of 1,851 registered, resulting in an overall turnout of 3.47%. Voter registration issues delayed the youth vote until this year, and campaigns were launched to mobilize young voters. City leaders and advocates cited registration challenges, transportation issues, and a short timeframe as contributing factors to the low turnout. They remain optimistic that future elections will see increased youth participation.