The Fund is proud to be the Pennsylvania state-seat for
What is Vote16 PA?
Vote16PA is a youth-powered advocacy initiative created by The Fund for Women and Girls that brings together young people, community members, and advocates to strengthen civic engagement in Pennsylvania. Through education, organizing, and action, participants learn how government works, how laws are passed, and how to make their voices heard on issues that impact their communities.
Participants in the Vote16PA initiative are working to pass legislation that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds in Pennsylvania to vote in school board elections. School board decisions directly affect students’ education, opportunities, and future — and we believe students deserve a voice in those decisions.
Why do we choose to work on this?
We know that civic engagement is paramount to our democracy – and that young people vote at lower rates than older adults. We also know based on research that the younger someone starts voting, the more likely they are to consistently vote as they grow older. Why does this matter for women’s rights? At The Fund, we center our work around those with lived experience and those most impacted by the issues. It is critical that young women have and participate in their voting rights. Not too long ago women of color and women who couldn't read English did not have the right to vote (legislation has passed to address these issues in1965 and 1975 respectively).
Expanded voting rights means and expanded representation – something that is critical to our democracy.
To learn more about the research that backs our goals, click here.
How are we working on voter rights?
Vote16 PA participants attend virtual meetings to connect with other participants, review what has happened, and discuss what needs to happen. The participants have self-selected into three subgroups: research, communications, and coalition. In between meetings, participants work on their specific sub-topic. They are building coalitions, meeting with organizations and elected officials, creating social media and documentation to share, and researching existing voter expansion outcomes and voter registration processes. Participants are attending school board meetings, connecting with other civic engagement organizations, and building out social media campaigns. While working to identify legislators to introduce legislation that would lower the voting age, participants meet with legislators from across the state to build support and momentum for our movement.
What can
YOU do?
Young people ages 15-22: Applications open until June 30, 2026, to learn more click here.
Community Leaders: One part of our Vote16PA work is creating a state-wide coalition of organizations supporting this project and helping us gain momentum. If you are a member, representative, or employee of an organization that is interested in learning more or getting involved, click here.
For any questions or to discuss Vote16PA, click here to contact our Director of Advocacy & Policy, Blake Emmanuel.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
— Margaret Mead"