AGE
Debates about the voting age focus on questions of maturity. Opponents claim youth are not ready for this responsibility, but supporters point out that they pay taxes and serve as soldiers. Having suffrage would also make them more responsible.
1776
The 1776 State Constitution of New Jersey gave the right to vote to all inhabitants of full age who met property and residence requirements. "Full age" was 21, when a person was considered mature enough to make their own decisions.
"A child is regarded, in common parlance, as a person under the age of twenty-one years. In the eyes of the common law, all persons were esteemed infants until they attained this age."
T. E. James (1960)
JSTOR
1969
After World War II, proposals were made in various parts of the country to lower the voting age to 18. These calls grew louder during the Vietnam War, when a soldier could die for their country but did not have the right to vote.
In April 1969, the New Jersey state legislature approved an amendment to lower the voting age to 18, which required a voter referendum to become part of the state constitution.
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The Voting Age Coalition, led by college students, campaigned for Vote Yes. They argued that young people were educated and well-informed.
"Youth has shown deep social responsibility in their active participation in welfare groups... Their fervent support and participation in the last presidential campaign proves their political responsibility."
Voting Age Coalition (1969)
Rutgers University
Special Collections and University Archives
Many young people worked full time and paid taxes. At 18, a person was treated legally as an adult and could serve in the military.
New Jersey Digital Highway
De Schweinitz and Frost 2023/Bruce Haraguchi
Opponents focused on protests happening on college campuses to suggest young people were untrustworthy and immature.
"Television coverage of disruptive college students is a major factor in keeping states from granting the vote to 18-year-olds."
New York Times, February 17, 1970
ProQuest
In response, the Coalition stressed that young people were sensible and would become even more responsible with suffrage.
Rutgers University, Special Collections and University Archives
Despite these efforts, voters defeated the referendum by a vote of 40.6% (Yes) to 59.6% (No).
nj.gov
1971
The Voting Rights Act of 1970 lowered the voting age to 18 in federal elections. A constitutional amendment was required to extend this to state and local elections. In 1971, New Jersey ratified the 26th Amendment.
"A Concurrent Resolution ratifying a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States guaranteeing to persons 18 years of age and older the right to vote in Federal, State and local elections."
NJ Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2017 (1971)
Department of State, New Jersey
2024
The New Voter Empowerment Act allows 17-year-olds to vote in primaries in New Jersey if they will be 18 by the election.
"[A]ny registered voter who is 17 years of age prior to the date on which a primary election for the general election is held shall be permitted to vote in that primary election if the registered voter attains 18 years of age on or before the day of the next succeeding general election."
New Voter Empowerment Act (2024)
New Jersey State Legislature
Supporters argued that the law would give young people a voice and sense of responsibility.
Interview with Senator Andrew Zwicker/Lars Harrison
"I want young people to feel like their voice matters. And one of the ways to make your voice matter is to have your vote matter."
Andrew Zwicker, New Jersey State Senator, January 22, 2025
In his State of the State address, Governor Phil Murphy asked legislators to lower the voting age to 16 in school board elections.
"I am also asking the Legislature to send to my desk a voting rights bill that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local school board elections... voting is a lifelong habit... encouraging our young neighbors to engage with democracy."
Governor Phil Murphy, January 9, 2024, on WHYY
Associated Press/Matt Rourke
Bills were introduced in May. If passed, New Jersey would be the first state to extend voting rights to people younger than 18.
Vote16NJ
"16 and 17-year-olds can legally drive, work, pay income taxes, consent, emancipate themselves, and even register to vote, but they can't start voting until 18... [B]y enacting this policy, New Jersey would send the message that youth do have a place in politics, instilling a sense of civic duty that would endure for the rest of our lives."
Vote16NJ Website One Pager