In Pittsburgh, candidates face their future voters, part of a national effort to engage the young

Published: Monday, May 12, 2025 at 5:32 pm

**Pittsburgh Students Engage in Mayoral Primary, Part of National Youth Voter Drive**

Pittsburgh high school students are taking center stage in their local political landscape, participating in forums with mayoral candidates ahead of the upcoming primary. This initiative, spearheaded by the Allegheny Youth Vote Coalition and Pittsburgh Public Schools, is part of a broader national effort to boost youth voter engagement. The forums, held at Perry Traditional Academy and other schools, provide a platform for students to directly question candidates on issues crucial to them, including policing, school funding, and youth involvement in government.

This trend reflects a growing awareness of the historically low voter turnout among young people. Civic organizations are actively working to reverse this trend by fostering early engagement in public discourse. While young voters made up 15% of voters in the 2020 election, they also represented 27% of non-voters, highlighting the need for increased participation.

The movement extends beyond Pittsburgh. Cities like Newark, New Jersey, have lowered the voting age to 16 for school board elections, allowing younger residents to have a direct say in local governance. This move, along with similar initiatives across the country, aims to instill a sense of civic responsibility and encourage lifelong voting habits. Students like Breanna Quist and Nishani Ward in Newark have expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to influence decisions that directly impact their lives.

The article also highlights the importance of providing young people with a voice in political decisions, as they often feel their needs are overlooked by older voters. The Civics Center and other organizations are working to provide high schoolers with voter registration drives and forums to increase their participation in elections.

BNN's Perspective: While the enthusiasm for youth engagement in politics is commendable, it's important to acknowledge the potential challenges. Lowering the voting age and encouraging early political involvement can be beneficial, but it's crucial to ensure that young voters are well-informed and understand the complexities of the issues. A balanced approach that combines civic education with opportunities for direct engagement is key to fostering a truly representative democracy.

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