Princeton high school students ask council to back Vote‑16 for school board elections

Dozens of Princeton High School students addressed the council on Oct. 8 urging local support for the Vote‑16 movement to allow 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds to vote in school board elections; council members said they would seek legal guidance about the municipality’s authority to enact such a change.

Student speakers said enfranchising 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds for school board elections would give young people a direct say on curricular and budgetary matters that affect their daily lives and would build lifelong voting habits. “Our goal is to enfranchise 16 and 17 year olds in school board of education elections,” student organizer Karina He told the council. Other student speakers added that school board choices determine funding for clubs, coaches and classroom resources and that allowing younger voters in the comparatively low‑stakes school board context would ease first‑time voting.

Students cited examples from other municipalities where younger voter enfranchisement led to higher turnout among that cohort and said that early engagement can counter broader trends of voter apathy. Speakers also described direct, local stakes: equipment and coaching shortfalls for some sports, transportation and club funding, and students’ everyday experiences with school policies.

Council members thanked the students and said they would investigate legal constraints. One council member noted research suggesting only municipalities with the Faulkner Act form of government can unilaterally lower the municipal voting age and that Princeton may need state action; municipal attorney Brian said he planned to confirm the town’s legal options with other counsel. Staff offered to follow up with the students for further discussion but no formal action was taken at the meeting.

Students left the meeting urging continued engagement with council and state lawmakers should local action be unavailable.