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It’s been four years since Oakland teens led their community to secure a historic expansion of voting rights with Measure QQ. Now, the adults in charge have finally got it together and all systems are a go for 16- and 17-year-olds in Oakland to vote in the Oakland Unified School Board elections this November. 

“I’m so glad that Measure QQ was finally implemented! Having worked on the issue, it’s great to see change actually be adopted. This gives hope and assurance to all students that their voices are being heard and change can and will happen. I’m very excited for the upcoming school board election, and the renewed excitement this will bring!” – Ojiugo Egeonu, 12th grader at Oakland High School 

Despite being approved by Oakland voters in 2020, the actual implementation of Measure QQ was delayed for years. The Oakland Youth Coalition, powered by youth leaders at Oakland Unified School District’s All City Council Student Union, AYPAL, Oakland Kids First, Oakland Youth Commission and Californians for Justice, never stopped pushing for implementation. Organizers kept the pressure and attention on the Alameda County Registrar of Voters over the last few years, calling for transparency and accountability from those in power. 

Finally, the voting systems have been updated and tested, and 16- and 17-year-olds in Oakland Unified and Berkeley Unified (which passed their own similar measure in 2016) can have their say in who represents them on the school board. This is a huge win for youth organizers, including many undocumented youth who helped secure the win years ago.

“This was not an us vs them fight, it was the community coming together for the betterment of our society and culture. It feels like we have finally made a move towards equitable schools, where students will be sat at the table.  It just feels good having done the groundwork for it to finally become reality.” – Angel, OUSD and CFJ alum

What’s Next?

CFJ organizers and youth leaders will be busy these next few months, working to register, empower and turn out as many eligible students as possible for the school board races in November. Our team will also coordinate meetings this fall between student voters, school board members and school board candidates so the youth can learn more about their representatives and what their vision is for Oakland schools. 

The school board election in November will be a huge moment for students and youth voters in Oakland, but we also see it as the first step in a much larger movement. From the Bay to LA, CFJ and allies are looking at this victory as a model for how youth power can be realized in communities across California. 

“It is powerful to see Oakland leading the way on expanding decision making power for young folks. Part of our vision in CFJ is to expand youth-led democracy for Black youth and youth of color. This win is going to have a big impact inspiring similar policies across the state and hopefully, it can also inspire young voters to serve in these elected roles!” – Rosa De León, Senior Strategy Director, Californians for Justice

Be sure to stay in the loop this fall as students mobilize to vote by following us on socials, and check out the beautiful moment when youth organizers found out Measure QQ would finally be implemented.