Oregon Teenagers Attempt to Spur Lawmakers into Allowing Them to Vote in School Board Elections
To spur legislators into action, a group of teenagers met outside the Oregon Capitol earlier in the week to encourage lawmakers to introduce House Bill 3012, allowing 16 and 17 years of age to vote in local school board elections.
Opponents Believe Teenagers Are Easily Swayed and Too Immature to Vote
Known as the Student Voice and Democracy Act, House Bill 3012 met with opposition when presented to the House Rules Committee for discussion. There were 150 letters of testimony against the implementation of the legislation.
The main reasons for concern were that teenagers under 18 are immature and easily influenced by peer pressure and advertisements.
The bill would allow younger voters to participate in local school board elections, including the election of school directors.
Monday’s gathering outside the Capitol building in Salem was one day before statewide school board elections took place.
Attempt to Lower the Voting Age to 16 Failed
Two years ago, Democrat lawmakers proposed an amendment to the state constitution to lower the voting age to 16. The proposal was unsuccessful, despite an argument that 16 and 17-year-olds can drive, work, and pay taxes and should be allowed to vote.
In Oregon, that age group is automatically registered when they obtain a driver’s license but do not receive ballots until they reach the age of 18.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, there are 21 states where teenagers of the age of 17 can vote in primaries if their 18th birthday is reached by the date of the general election. Teenagers are also allowed to vote in local elections in some U.S. cities.
House Bill 3012 has not been scheduled for a work session, a procedure necessary to reach the floor of the House.