Oakland Teens to Vote in School Board Races

Sixteen- and 17-year-olds will cast ballots in the November 3 school board election.

Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a ballot box in front of a school facade, symbolizing youth civic participation. — Oakland teens aged 16 and 17 will cast their ballots in the November 3, 2026, school board elections following the enactment of Measure QQ. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should 16- and 17-year-olds have the right to vote in local school board elections?

Oakland teenagers are preparing to vote in school board elections for the second time following the passage of Measure QQ. The election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.

Why it matters

The youth voting initiative aims to give students a direct voice in school budget decisions and board policy. This follows previous significant budget cuts that impacted local school operations.

Voters approved Measure QQ in 2020 with 67.88% support, authorizing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote. The Alameda County registrar has facilitated 11 registration pop-ups at nine different high schools.

The players

Oakland Kids First

This organization advocates for student voting rights and manages registration efforts in local classrooms.

The details

Oakland Kids First continues to lead outreach efforts by visiting classrooms and registering students to encourage participation. Eligible teens can cast their ballots at any county vote center.

1996 marked the establishment of the Kids First Initiative ballot measure.
The school board voted to cut $22 million from the budget in 2019.
Voters approved Measure QQ in November 2020.
As of October 23, 2026, 13 teenage ballots had been returned.
Election day for the school board races is November 3, 2026.

Political Context

Opponents of expanded youth voting have historically raised concerns regarding the maturity of minors and the influence of advocacy groups on educational policy. Some stakeholders argue that existing civic participation methods should prioritize adult voting integrity over teenage inclusion.

Eligible 16- and 17-year-olds can now head to any county vote center to cast their ballots by November 3. This participation gives local youth a formal mechanism to influence budget decisions that affect their own schools.

The takeaway

Student engagement in local elections provides a direct channel for youth to influence educational policy and budget allocations. Residents should note that the deadline for participating in this specific board race is November 3.