Scott Davidson – 20th Anniversary Reflection
Former board member (2003-2007) and president, Scott Davidson reflects on his time with NYRA and the people he got to know during his time being active with the organization.
Jackie Ferro – 20th Anniversary Reflection
I first got involved with NYRA in 2009, when I was in 8th grade. I had formed a small coalition with some fellow middle schoolers called the Teen Suffrage Organization (TSO) – we hoped to collect signatures for a referendum to lower the voting age in New York State. Online, we learned about NYRA and…
NYRA-Fairfax Secures Voting Age Endorsements
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…
NYRA Mourns Passing of John Taylor Gatto
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…
Stefan Muller – 20th Anniversary Reflection
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…
NYRA Launches New Website!
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…
Bill introduced in U.S. House to lower the voting age to sixteen
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…
Over 70 people testify in favor of lowering the voting age in Washington D.C.
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…
NYRA-Cumberland County, N.C. kicks off its campaign to lower the voting age
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…
Calling B.S. on Ageism: What the Response to the Parkland Shooting Means for Youth Rights
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…
