Sign our petition to support our cause! Lowering the voting age for city elections in Oregon to 16 is essential to empower young residents and ensure their voices are heard. Cities like Takoma Park, MD, and Brattleboro, VT, have successfully implemented this change, leading to higher voter turnout and increased civic engagement. Teens across Oregon are directly impacted by decisions on education, transportation, and public services. They attend local schools, work in local businesses, and volunteer in our communities. They deserve the opportunity to have a say in the decisions being made for them!
Want to start a Vote16Oregon chapter at your school?
Take a look at our toolkit guide to get started and for additional tips!
Click the link below to look at different email templates you can use for outreach, as well as some talking points for presentations!
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Vote16Oregon Chapter & Outreach Toolkit:
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1. In order to start a chapter at your school, start by finding: an adult sponsor (teacher, coach, etc.), and friends/classmates who might be interested in joining your chapter!
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2. Set the main goals for your chapter. Remember, the long term goal is to change the policy of the state and local governments to lower the voting age to 16. This could be through an amendment to the Oregon constitution, or a state law that allows local governments to decide the voting age.
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3. Acknowledge challenges. Very few people are aware that lowering the voting age is possible, and many adults are opposed to the idea. Find creative ways to address these concerns and get the word out!
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4. Plan initiatives for your chapter to take part in. Find ways to raise awareness and support among your peers, reach out to adult organizations to gain their support, and lobby local/state politicians. You can also table at school events to hand out brochures, answer questions, and gather signatures/emails for support.
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5. Find student organizations, clubs, and groups that you can reach out to and potentially collaborate with. Some examples are: debate teams, MUN clubs, and student government/politics groups. You might ask to present or hand out literature at their meetings!
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6. Find adult organizations and groups that you can reach out to and give presentations to!