A Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) commentary by UCLA Luskin Professor of Social Welfare Laura Wray-Lake highlights the first time that 16- and 17-year-olds will be allowed to vote in school board elections in two California cities. Oakland and Berkeley teens will be the youngest voters in California, joining a growing number of under-18 youth nationally and internationally who have gained that right. “Policies to expand voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds are being actively debated in cities and states across the U.S.,” Wray-Lake said. Since 1995, California has considered statewide policy to lower the voting age 12 times, including in 2023 with proposed legislation that would have lowered the voting age to 17 for all elections. Wray-Lake outlines four arguments for lowering age requirements related to capacity, rights, developmental timing and civic engagement. “Lowering the voting age could also be a catalyst for greater investment in statewide civic education.”