Wisconsin Teens Advocate for Lowering Voting Age in School Board Elections

The push to lower the voting age for local elections continues to gain momentum in parts of the U.S., with youth advocates making compelling arguments for allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections. While initiatives like those in Takoma Park, Maryland, and Berkeley and Oakland, California, have successfully allowed younger teens to vote in specific local elections, efforts in Wisconsin face significant constitutional hurdles.

The Case for Youth Voting in Wisconsin

Adah Lambeck, a senior at Madison West High School, is leading an initiative to amend Wisconsin’s state constitution to permit 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections. Inspired by similar successes in other states, Lambeck argues that school board policies directly impact students and that youth deserve a say in electing officials who shape their education.

Why the Proposal Makes Sense

  • Direct Stake: Students, as primary recipients of school board decisions, are uniquely positioned to assess the issues, such as book bans, curriculum changes, and responses to school shootings.
  • Adult Responsibilities: Advocates, including Newark, New Jersey’s city council, highlight responsibilities like driving, paying taxes, and working as evidence that teens are prepared to participate in the democratic process.
  • Building Voting Habits: Lambeck emphasizes that voting in a single, focused election could serve as an entry point for lifelong civic engagement.

Challenges in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s constitution explicitly reserves voting rights for citizens aged 18 and older. This barrier was reinforced by a recent referendum that tightened the eligibility definition. For Lambeck and her peers in the Madison West Civics Club, this means advocating for a constitutional amendment—a tall order in a politically divided state.

Community Support and Next Steps

The initiative has garnered support from educators like Carrie Bohman, who advises the Civics Club and sees the proposal as a natural extension of civics education. Fellow students, including senior Harper Schrager, echo this sentiment, expressing frustration at being excluded from decisions that affect their daily lives.

The club plans to build a coalition by reaching out to other schools and engaging with local lawmakers. They also hope to make their case to Republican legislators by aligning the proposal with existing civics education mandates.

Broader Implications

Advocates argue that involving teens in local governance could foster more engaged and informed citizens. However, critics often raise concerns about maturity and political awareness. The Madison West Civics Club, however, is confident that their peers are ready to rise to the challenge, pointing to existing youth engagement in civics classes and legislative simulations.

Upcoming Discussions

The Dane County Youth Commission is scheduled to revisit the proposal on December 18, providing a platform for further debate and potential next steps. For Lambeck, Schrager, and their peers, this represents another opportunity to advocate for their vision of a more inclusive democracy.

Leave a Comment