In November 2024, 16- and 17-year-old Berkeley residents voted in school board elections for the first time. According to KQED, only 331 of the 1,600 eligible Berkeley teens voted, representing roughly 21 percent of eligible youth. Although the Berkeley Unified School District elections just passed, Berkeley High School should continue to encourage youth to participate in future elections and promote teens' civic engagement.
BUSD’s website states, “The School Board represents the public’s voice in public education, providing governance over the school district.” The school board makes decisions regarding the BHS curriculum, school funding, and communication with the teachers' union, among other issues. Because these decisions directly affect students, students should research each candidate, their policies, and their endorsements before forming opinions and casting their ballots.
Additionally, youth voting is a rare opportunity for students to practice civic engagement. BHS School Board Representative and senior Hannah Sinead Slattery-Weisberg said, “It's important for students to practice voting and to start that habit early on … it sets a really great precedent.” Registering to vote, researching candidates, and casting an official ballot lets students become familiar with the democratic process when young. Developing these habits through local elections can help students feel more confident participating in future state and national elections.
Unfortunately, students often feel intimidated and unprepared to vote. “I feel like BHS has definitely not provided enough information about voting for students,” Amira Zucker, a BHS sophomore who turned 16 in October, said, “I feel unprepared to vote, and I would guess other students feel the same. That's something that should be changed.” Although eligible, Zucker is not planning to vote in the 2026 school board elections. Her decision demonstrates how a lack of voter education can discourage eligible students from participating in elections that directly affect their education.
As a school known for student-led activism and political involvement, BHS lacks voter education. Without sufficient information about the candidates and voting process, students may not recognize the influence their ballots can have. To combat this, teachers and administrators should increase student participation in youth voting by setting aside class time for junior and senior voter registration. BHS should also create opportunities for students to learn about the election. For instance, BHS could host panels with candidates, allowing students to understand more about individual policies and campaigns. By providing accessible information without endorsing individual candidates, BHS can help students make informed decisions and feel more prepared to vote.
Youth voting is not only an important opportunity to practice civic engagement and participate in the democratic process, but it also gives students a chance to influence decisions in their district. Because students have a direct stake in school board decisions, BHS has a responsibility to educate students and encourage civic engagement.