This was no sprint. It was a marathon, marked by lessons and kinship from allies who have prioritized youth voices against structural barriers too great to ignore.
Two years ago, Newark passed an historic ordinance allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections. In 2025 that policy was implemented, opening the door for young people to shape decisions that directly impact their daily lives.
Yet turnout numbers raised a familiar question: Where were the youth?…