Newark Teens March To City Hall To Vote In School Board Election

NEWARK, NJ — Nearly 100 students from a high school in Newark took a “march to the polls” on Monday to vote in the 2026 board of education election – a real-life lesson in civics that one educator called a “proud moment” for the Brick City.

Two years ago, Newark became the first city in New Jersey to lower the voting age to 16 for local school board elections. Turnout has been lower than hoped for, but advocates and educators continue their efforts to encourage the city’s youth to hit the polls on Election Day.

On Monday, dozens of students from Great Oaks Legacy Charter School answered that call to action.

Beginning at the high school campus on Crawford Street, students marched to Newark City Hall, where eligible 16, 17 and 18-year-old voters cast their mail-in ballots.

The march came after months of student-led civic engagement through the school’s student advocacy club, including voter registration drives and participation in the Vote 16 campaign and initiatives led by the GEM Project.

“This was a proud moment for our school and for Newark,” said Jared Taillefer, CEO of Great Oaks Legacy Charter School.

“Our students are learning that their voice matters right now,” added Taillefer, a Newark resident who also cast his vote Monday.

“To walk alongside them, cast my own vote, and see them step into that responsibility was powerful,” Taillefer said. “This is what it looks like when a city invests in its young people and trusts them to help shape the future of their education.”

Election Day takes place Tuesday. Six candidates are competing for three open seats on the school board. There are also three candidates competing to fill a 1-year unexpired term on the board.

>> RELATED: Newark 2026 School Board Election Is Tuesday (What To Know)

LOWERING THE VOTING AGE IN NJ

Outside of Newark, the voting age remains at 18 in New Jersey – although 17-year-olds are allowed to vote in primary elections if they are set to turn 18 by the general election.

In 2023, the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice released a report that pushed to lower the voting age statewide – for all elections.

Some elected officials have supported lowering the voting age for school elections in New Jersey, including former Gov. Phil Murphy.

“Newark has set a national standard for youth voting rights by allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in their local school board elections,” Murphy said. “Providing young people a say in issues that directly impact their lives is not only the right thing to do, but also helps make voting into a lifelong habit.”

Mayor Ras Baraka was also among those supporting the new voting age in Newark.

• Related: This NJ City Is Having A History-Making School Election – Here’s Why

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