NLC: How did the Youth Involvement Subcommittee (YIS) decide to work on the issue of lowering the voting
age to 17?
Juliana: We began our work with middle school youth and 8th grade students by holding youth summits to prepare young people for high school. At a YIS retreat in 2004, we talked about how to get involved with older youth as well, and our unanimous decision was to work on this voting initiative. We were all really convinced that this was a great issue to work on.
Sumbul: We thought, what better way to get older youth involved than to have them vote in local elections?
NLC: What were the first steps you took after you decided to work on this issue? Who did
you work with, and why?
Nathalie: We researched what work had already been done in other cities and countries to lower the voting age, and looked at what worked and what didn’t in these places—we used this research to work on our own campaign
Nephtaly: Next, we met with the mayor at a luncheon to decide what our next steps would be. Our decision to keep working on the issue was a combination of our research about other places they’ve done this, and talking to people in our own community. We asked our classmates in high school if they would vote, and what their biggest concerns were for the community—they actually had a lot of the same concerns as we have heard from local adults.
Juliana: We made up an informal survey for high school students that teachers handed out after classes, asking young people these questions about voting, and created areas in the schools where students could return the surveys. It was a way of making sure we had backup from other young people in Cambridge.
NLC: How did you prepare to present your case to City Council? What were the main points of your argument?
Nathalie: We researched members of the City Council, to find out who would be in support of the bill and who wouldn’t. We then used this knowledge—about who might not support it and why—to target our argument in support of the bill.
Sumbul: We had help from four adult consultants who had worked with youth in the past, and we split the YIS into three groups. The Documentation Group kept a written account of all of our work, the Activism Group developed arguments and strategies in support of the bill, and the Facilitation Group headed up our weekly meetings, working on activities like leading ice breakers with our YIS group and adults in the community.
Nephtaly: The Activism Group prepared an order—a formal request—to present to City Council, asking them to petition the state legislature to pass the bill. One major point in the order was that it’s better to get kids involved in voting at an early age, making it a habit that will keep them voting later in life.
Sumbul: Another big point was that young people are taxed, but don’t get a say in how that tax money is used because they cannot vote.
NLC: How did writing an order compare to writing a term paper?
Juliana: In some ways it was similar, with all the studying and research we did to prepare. But it was also a new process for us to write in a political format.
NLC: What was it like in Cambridge on the night you presented to City Council? How did you plan the Youth Vote Rally you held before the meeting?
Sumbul: We were surprised by how big the turnout was, and by people showing up who we hadn’t asked to come, like some members of the school committee, and college students—all these people had come to support us.
Juliana: Some of us stood out in [Cambridge] Central Square, handing out fliers before the rally. We were surprised and excited by how many people expressed their support for our work.
Nephtaly: On the surveys we handed out in the high schools, we included information about the rally. Each of us on the YIS also invited three family members or friends.
Sumbul: Each of the three groups we formed had specific duties for the event: One group worked on the fliers, one worked on the food, and one organized the schedule. In total, we had about 10 adults and 70 youth at the rally.
NLC: After your victory in Cambridge, your next step was to work with the state legislature to bring attention to the home rule petition City Council had granted. How did this compare with your work in the city?
Sumbul: Both groups of adults were very supportive. We were able to meet directly with the state representatives of our districts, Tim Toomey and Alice Wolf, and we were recognized on the floor of the state house. Our representatives were able to give us advice on how we can keep the bill on track—Rep. Wolf was especially supportive of our work, because she led the creation of the Cambridge Kids’ Council during her time as Mayor of Cambridge.
Nathalie: One major objection that state legislators might have is that lowering the voting age in Cambridge would break the uniformity of the voting laws in the state of Massachusetts. Rep. Wolf pointed out that this might be one challenge, but that there have already been other exceptions to this rule—she encouraged us to develop an argument around this point. Also, Rep. Wolf encouraged us to emphasize that Cambridge could be a good testing group for 17-year-olds voting.
Juliana: Another question Rep. Wolf helped us to look at was “Why 17?” One reason to lower the voting age to 17 is that young people are still very involved in Cambridge at this time in their lives, so the electoral process is a lot more personal.
NLC: What are some other thoughts on “Why 17?,” or, how might youth voting change Cambridge?
Juliana: If young people are given the right to vote at 17, they will have the interest, and will feel empowered to make change in the community. They may vote for more programs for youth, and, even as adults, be part of a lot more positive change.
Nathalie: Youth are often viewed as apathetic, but one of the reasons 18-year-olds don’t vote could be that they have just gone off to college and are in a new environment—they’re not thinking of voting. At 17, most young people are seniors in high school, and are in a comfortable place where they might be more likely to vote.
Sumbul: Many youth don’t get the opportunity to be educated about civic engagement like we have. But it’s important to know that we do care at an early age, and voting could be a firsthand political experience for youth.
Juliana: Even us, when we started work on this bill, we were confused with the process—we weren’t sure of the difference between what goes on at the city, state, and federal levels—but we learned a lot firsthand as we did the work.
Nephtaly: I live in public housing. I would be able to vote on issues affecting not only me, but my family and housing community.
NLC: If this initiative goes into effect, would you consider any program to raise awareness of youth voting?
Juliana: We haven’t yet taken that idea to any local schools, but it’s a possibility—already, I know there are lots of teachers with interests in politics who could help us get the word out.
NLC: Advice for young people in other communities who want to work on a project like this one?
Nathalie: Be patient! Everything takes time in government…if our government changed often or easily it wouldn’t be effective. It is important for us to prove that this bill is necessary, that it’s needed to make a strong impact. Think about how long women pushed for the right to vote, and now that right seems so natural to us—but it took years of work.
Juliana: Another piece of advice is to learn to work with a lot of different people. You’ll work with people you don’t necessarily agree with. I’ve worked with officials who I knew didn’t support our bill, but I also learned that they were committed to young people in a lot of ways, which surprised me. I think it’s important to stay passionate about your own beliefs, but to also stay open to people who may not agree.
Sumbul: I’ll just add that, challenges can always be overcome… don’t give up.
NLC: Does this experience make you interested in a political career?
Juliana: My family is originally from the Bahamas, and all my relatives there are involved in politics, so people always ask me if I’m considering it. I’ll be going to college for fashion design in the fall, but I know I will always stay active in the community and local political issues.
Sumbul: I’m going to college this fall to major in international relations, and I think having this experience, and being president of student government at my high school, has put me in a position of leadership. It gives you the feeling of being able to get things done, and even now, sitting here in City Hall for a meeting, is pretty great. I’ll consider it.
Nathalie: I’m thinking of going into teaching, but I will continue to stay strong with activism, and to support the issues I’m passionate about.
NLC: Anything else you’d like everyone to know about your work in Cambridge?
Juliana: I began working with the YIS as a high school sophomore, and at the time, it seemed small, but it’s kind of amazing what you can achieve. If you stay hopeful, and have faith, things can be changed.
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Check back soon for more news and updates fom the Cambridge YIS, as they take their campaign to new levels! Have your own voting story? Tell us about it.
For questions or more information about this story, send a note to Colleen at fellow@nlc.org.