Oregon Students Push for Lower Voting Age in School Board Elections

Oregon high school students, led by Nilani Maheswaran and Katie Jin, are advocating for House Bill 3012, which would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in nonpartisan school board elections starting in 2029. They argue that they should have a say in issues affecting their education, such as staff shortages, mental health support, and high student-to-teacher ratios. Maheswaran and Jin believe that by giving youth voices in their schools, they can elect school board members who will listen to their needs, challenges, and experiences.

Key Takeaways:

• House Bill 3012, introduced in 2025, aims to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in nonpartisan school board elections starting in 2029.
• Oregon automatically registers 16- and 17-year-olds when they obtain driver's licenses, but they do not receive a ballot until they are 18.
• 21 states already allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the general election.
• Some U.S. cities, such as those in the District of Columbia, allow teens to vote in local elections.
• Supporters believe that allowing youth to vote promotes the democratic process, while opponents argue that youth lack maturity and can be easily influenced.
• The bill has received opposition from some Oregonians, with 150 letters submitted in opposition versus 211 in favor at the House Rules Committee hearing.
• The bill has already received a public hearing on the House side and will need to pass both chambers before reaching the governor's desk.

Statistics:

• 21 states allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the general election (National Conference of State Legislatures, n.d.).
• Some U.S. cities allow teens to vote in local elections (FairVote, n.d.).
• As of 2023, teens and Democrats proposed an amendment to Oregon's constitution to lower the state's voting age to 16, but it died upon the legislative session's adjournment (Oregon Capital Chronicle, 2023).
• In 2021, Oregon implemented a law requiring students to complete at least half a credit of civics to graduate (Oregon Department of Education, 2021).

Sources:

• Oregon Capital Chronicle (2025, May 19). Oregon students push for bill that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections.
• National Conference of State Legislatures (n.d.). Voting Age for Primary Elections.
• FairVote (n.d.). Reform Library: Lower the Voting Age.
• Oregon Capital Chronicle (2023, January 5). Oregon teens' activism could lead to lower voting age.
• Oregon Department of Education (2021). Civics Credit Guidance Document.