Thanks to the efforts of the newly formed Fairfax County NYRA chapter, the Fairfax County Democratic Party and grassroots organizations Virginia Democracy Forward and Virginia Civic Engagement Table have endorsed lowering the state voting age to 16. “16-and-17-year-olds are not allowed to vote even though many of them are politically active and knowledgeable”, says Virginia…
Renowned critic of compulsory schooling, John Taylor Gatto passed away this week at the age of 82. A teacher for 30 years, he achieved notoriety after quitting teaching upon receiving the New York State teacher of the year award in 1991. He used the opportunity to speak out against the unnatural, restrictive and harmful impact…
I joined NYRA in 2003 after reading about it in a news article about the voting age. This wasn’t my first introduction to youth rights—I’ve believed in youth rights, though I didn’t call it that in my own head, for as long as I can remember—but it was my first indication that other people believed…
After months of hard work by NYRA’s team of volunteers, we are pleased to finally unveil our brand new look! With a new logo, a new website, and lots of new content, we’re excited for all youth rights supporters to check out the new YouthRights.org. As part of last year’s strategic planning process we decided…
Last week, U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY) introduced a resolution proposing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would lower the voting age to sixteen throughout the country. This resolution (H.J.Res.138) would replace the Twenty-sixth Amendment, which prevents states from having a voting age higher than 18, with the following language: “The right of citizens…
On Wednesday, NYRA members attended a public hearing before the Washington, D.C. City Council to support the Youth Vote Amendment Act of 2018. If passed, this act would lower the D.C. voting age to 16 for both local and federal elections: something unprecedented in U.S. history. A total of 73 public witnesses testified in favor…
Last week, I met with N.C. State Senator Ben Clark, who I spoke with briefly about lowering the voting age in North Carolina to 16 years old. It was a very successful meeting as I shared some reasons to lower the voting age. Mr. Clark agreed that 16 and 17-year-olds are more than capable to…
Yet another reason we should lower the voting age The fallout from the Parkland shooting has brought the country’s attention to several facts that often go overlooked. Since the shooting, more people are starting to see that young people have an immediate stake in the way the country is run. And, secondly, thanks to student…
Members of Portland Student Rights Union – A NYRA Chapter We originally started the Portland Student Rights Union (SRU) in October 2017 to protest the administration of our school, the Metropolitan Learning Center Administration in Portland, Oregon, taking away all student breaks as a form of collective punishment. Even though we were an unofficial group,…
WASHINGTON, D.C. April 10, 2018: The National Youth Rights Association applauds Councilmember Charles Allen for introducing the Youth Vote Amendment Act of 2018 today, and calls upon the DC Council to become the first location in the United States to permit 16-year-olds to vote for president. In 2013 Takoma Park, Md. became the first city…
