Newark’s New Voting Age Law Hits Snag As 2024 Election Nears

NEWARK, NJ — Newark will not be ready to roll out its new law allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in school elections in time for this year’s contest, officials say.

In January, the Newark City Council gave a final green light to an ordinance that lowers the voting age for Newark Board of Education elections from 18 to 16. In addition to electing school board members, the new voters will be able to cast ballots for the annual budget for the largest public school district in the state. See Related: Newark First In NJ To Lower Voting Age To 16 For School Elections

However, 16 and 17-year-olds who were hoping to vote in Newark’s school board election on April 16 will have to wait to cast their first ballot.

“We will not be ready for 2024 because of the startup time needed to program the voting registration machines and equipment,” Newark City Clerk Kecia Daniels told Patch on Monday.

“The equipment no only needs programing, but also testing to ensure its fully operational and that takes time,” Daniels said, adding that the city continues to work with county and state partners to make the switch.

“Everyone is working together to ensure we go ‘live’ as soon as possible,” Daniels said.

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