Endorsements
Local (City Elections)
Adrian Fine, Mayor of Palo Alto
Shounak Dharap, Vice President of the Palo Alto Board of Education
Dana Tom, Former Palo Alto Board of Education President
Thomas Li, Gunn School Board Representative
Elizabeth Olson, Former Palo Alto High School PTA President
Grace Mah, Santa Clara County Board of Education member
Laura Stark, Member of Parcel Tax Campaign
Katie Causey, Community Advocate and School Board Candidate
Cari Templeton, Palo Alto City Council Candidate
Rebecca Eisenberg, Palo Alto City Council Candidate
Jesse Ladomirak, Palo Alto Board of Education Candidate
Steven Lee, Palo Alto Human Relations Commissioner, Palo Alto City Council Candidate
Greer Stone, Santa Clara County Human Rights Commission Vice- Chair, Palo Alto City Council Candidate
Jennifer DiBrienza, Palo Alto School Board Trustee
Raven Malone, Palo Alto City Council Candidate
Greg Tanaka, Palo Alto City Council Member & Candidate
Judy Kleinberg, Former Mayor of Palo Alto, President of Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce
Nancy Shepherd, President of the Palo Alto League of Women Voters
Bruce Reyes-Chow, Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto
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*Titles used for identification purposes only.
"Because young people should have a voice in the future of their community. It's going to affect them more than anyone else!"
Adrian Fine,
Mayor of Palo Alto
"Youth care deeply about changing the world for the better, whether that's fighting global warming or speaking out against oppression. Granting us the right to vote, even on a local level, gives youth a platform for change and allows us to realize how powerful our voice is."
Thomas Li, Gunn School Board Representative
"Palo Alto 16-year-olds are unusually bright and passionate people. They have a vested and long-term interest in preserving what is great about this community and in making changes where needed.
Steven Lee, Palo Alto Human Relations Commissioner
"Lowering the voting age to 16 will make voting a lifelong habit with young citizens ready to take this right seriously."
Dana Tom, Former Palo Alto School Board President
"Our young people are poised to help shape our collective future, and they deserve to have a voice in our government today."
Anna Eshoo, California 18th District Congresswoman
"Now more than ever it is essential we establish early pathways for civic engagement and amplify young voices."
Katie Causey, Palo Alto Board of Education Candidate
"If we expect our policies to support the long-term success of district students, district students ought to be able to participate in the democratic processes behind these policies"
Shounak Dharap, Palo Alto Board of Education Vice President
"One of the most basic tenants of our democracy is engagement through voting. Currently, students come of age to vote at the same time they are often leaving home, living in a new place, and adjusting to many new things. Beginning this important practice 2 years earlier, when our teens are often engaged in local politics and feel the impact of enacted policies may encourage more active participation and a lifetime of engagement in our electoral process."
- Jennifer DiBrienza,
Palo Alto School Board Trustee
"I applaud the efforts of Vote16, its student leaders, and community supporters, and I look forward to working toward our aligned goals of increasing inclusivity and representation of more community members, and improving participation in our local democracy."
Cari Templeton, Palo Alto City Council Candidate
"As a Palo Alto teacher, I have been impressed by the maturity and intellect of our city's youth. There is no greater civic responsibility than the duty to vote. Studies show the importance of voting at a young age for instilling good habits in voters. Those who vote early in their lives are far more likely to continue voting regularly throughout their life. I have no doubt our city's youth are capable of making informed decisions at the ballot box and I'm proud to support their desire to become active citizens!"
Greer Stone, Santa Clara County Human Rights Commission Vice-Chair
"Moving the voting age to 16 creates a culture and habit of voting. It encourages young adults to become more involved in politics and local issues. And, importantly, it helps our youngest generations feel a sense of ownership in, rather than disenfranchisement from, our system of government ... It's unethical and undemocratic to deprive a voice to those who need most to be heard."
Rebecca Eisenberg, Palo Alto City Council Candidate
"Adding the civic engagement of 16 year old voters will boost our democracy in participation and raise awareness for the general population of our governmental responsibilities."
- Grace Mah,
Member of the SCC Board of Education
"Vibrant democracy depends on civic engagement and political participation. The more young people help shape our collective future, the better off we all will be. By encouraging their peers to see themselves as stakeholders in our community, Vote16 is providing an invaluable public service and offering an example to us all of what leadership looks like."
Jesse Ladomirak, Palo Alto Board of Education Candidate
"It is critical for young people to be involved in our political process - particularly at the local level. Young people are our future, and it is past time we give their perspectives and ideas the consideration they deserve. Allowing individuals to vote in local elections beginning at age 16 is a start on the road to including all community members in our city's decision-making processes."
Raven Malone, Palo Alto City Council Candidate