The Fund's Young Participants of Vote16 PA Drive New Legislative Effort to Expand Youth Voice in School Board Elections
- ablue49
- Jan 23
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
PRESS RELEASE TEXT: On January 21, 2026, Representatives Chris Pielli (Chester County) and John Inglis III (Alleghany County) circulated a House memo titled “Lowering the Voting Age for School Board Elections.” The memo announces forthcoming legislation to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in Pennsylvania school board elections. “No one deals with the repercussions of Pennsylvania school board decisions more than students themselves. Students are deeply affected by school board decisions, from funding to curriculum to school-based activities, and even to their own safety. Yet these students have no say in who gets elected to their own school boards and how the decisions that shape their daily education are made. This bill helps to change that.” Representative Chris Pielli.
The Fund for Women and Girls, a nonprofit based in Chester County, PA, created and leads Vote16PA, a nonpartisan student-led civic engagement initiative focused on expanding youth voice in school governance. Niyati, a Vote16 PA participant, explains: "Many times I have felt that the voices of the youth are not heard, especially when it comes to issues regarding them. I want to be involved in Vote16PA because I want to get the opportunity to advocate for something I truly believe in. Elena, who has been involved with the initiative since its inceptions, shared: “I have experienced firsthand how frustrating it is to be excluded from school board decisions that directly affect me as a student. Throughout high school, I toyed with the idea of youth voting during civics projects but never made it a serious initiative. When Vote16PA was suggested, I felt such a relief knowing I wasn’t alone in my frustration, and excited about its prospects for empowering the voices of fellow students.”
The high school and college students involved with Vote16PA cohort are encouraged that the memo is not just theoretical anymore; it is an active legislative step. Through Vote16PA, students learn how the legislative process works; building coalitions across the state; collecting research on voter expansion and the benefits of civic engagement; developing communications strategies; and meeting directly with legislators. Not only did they meet with legislators and make the case for the bill, but they also created a draft and edited the content before the final memo was submitted.
This moment demonstrates that civic engagement education paired with real-world action can move ideas into formal policy conversations. School board decisions shape funding, curriculum, activities, and student safety. “Students above the age of 16 can drive, earn money by working, and even pay taxes. As youth, we have unique perspectives, and as students of education that school boards help provide, our voices should be heard. Yet we still cannot be a part of decisions that affect us.” Miya, Vote16PA participant speaking during public comment at a local school board meeting. Students are directly affected by school board decisions yet currently have no electoral voice, and voting provides meaningful representation. School board elections offer a tangible, local entry point into civic life.
9 municipalities in other states; New Jersey, Maryland, Vermont, and California, have lowered the voting age to 16. Research shows earlier voting correlates with increasing long-term civic participation. “There is significant data from the US and abroad that shows the younger somebody starts voting, the more likely they are to consistently engage in the civic process,” Blake Emmanuel, Director of Advocacy and Policy at The Fund for Women and Girls. Blake runs the Vote16PA initiative.
The student participants of The Fund’s Vote16PA cohort know that this memo is not the end of the road by any means. They are dedicated to continuing to engage in the democratic process. They are committed to educating peers and community members, building bipartisan and cross-sector coalitions, and tracking and most importantly advocating for the legislation as it moves forward.
The Fund for Women and Girls will continue investing in civic education and youth leadership as part of its broader commitment to equity. Ensuring young women’s voices, especially those most impacted, are heard is core to their mission and those most impacted by policy decisions. They are proud to be the state-seat of the Vote16USA movement. For more info visit https://www.thefundcc.org/vote16pa.
Press Coverage of the memo:
