Turnout, Tension, and a First Try at Power: Newark’s Youth Vote

In this candid commentary, host Junius Williams breaks down Newark’s historic first “Vote 16” school board election, where just 71 of 1,842 registered teens cast ballots. Williams unpacks the lessons behind that less-than-4-percent turnout: from late starts and institutional overreliance to the missing ground game and the gap between social media energy and actual turnout. Beneath the frustration is hope, powered by youth leaders, community momentum, and the belief that with better organizing and more time, Newark’s young voters could have controlled the outcome. This is a primer on civic power, political culture, and what it takes to build lasting change. It’s not just about what happened — it’s about what’s possible.