Will 2029 Be the Year For Student Voters? Breaking Down HB 3012 and What Students’ Futures Could Hold

By Appollonia Muñoz

On March 3rd, our district decided to hold a meeting on the Student Voice & Democracy Act which would grant registered 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in school board elections starting in 2029. This is part of the HB 3012 which was added this year and enables any 16- or 17-year-old the chance to vote in “all school district elections, including the nomination and election of school directors” (House Bill 3012, 2025). 

These votes have a direct impact on every student and by allowing us the chance to vote, it could shape our education system and make it more tailored to what we as students want rather than what school officials want us to do. This also allows students to deeply engage in their school board and even their community and further strengthen our democracy. 

Taking part in school board meetings could contribute to a student's success as has students’ involvement in extracurricular activities. According to a study done by the National Center for Educational Statistics, “Extracurricular participation was positively associated with each of these success indicators among public high school seniors in 1992 (table 1). During the first semester of their senior year, participants reported better attendance than their non-participating classmates . . .  Students who participated were three times as likely to perform in the top quartile on a composite math and reading assessment compared with nonparticipants. Participants were also more likely than nonparticipants to aspire to higher education” (NCES 2). 

Table 1. Percentage of public school seniors reporting selected indicators of school success by participation and non-participation in extracurricular activities, 1992  (From the NCES)

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                                                                    Non-

Indicators                                      Participants    Participants

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No unexcused absences*                                        50.4             36.2

Never skipped classes*                                           50.7             42.3

Have a GPA of 3.0 or above                                    30.6             10.8

Highest quartile on a composite math and

reading assessment                                                 29.8             14.2

Expect to earn a bachelor's degree

 or higher                                                                    68.2             48.2

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I fHB 3012 passes, if students could increase their participation in what happens to their school,  and might be more inclined to work hard and score higher in classes and tests. 

The meeting covered a wide range of topics and even had some Do’s and Don'ts that school officials were advised to abide by. For example, they were advised to avoid referring to students as “kids” or “teenagers” and to treat them like equals rather than children. This is an important step to creating an equal environment and allows students to really speak their minds on problems that happen within the community. As of right now, some school districts in Oregon allow students to sit in on board meetings, but not vote. While this is a step in the right direction, a better approach would be to give students a vote and ultimately allow them to be accountable for their education as they are with paying taxes, working, driving, and making medical decisions. 

Adults who attended the meeting were asked to give testimony in favor of HB 3012 and provide information as to why students should be able to vote in school board meetings. As of right now, the decision on whether HB 3012 is still to be determined.

More updates on this important settlement to come!

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Oregon State Legislature, House, House Bill 3012. 83rd Oregon Legislative Assembly - 2025 

Regular Session, Legislative Assembly, 2025,

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB3012

United States, Educational Services, Extracurricular Participation and Student Engagement. 

June 1995 Edition, National Center for Educational Statistics, June 1995,

https://nces.ed.gov/pubs95/web/95741.asp

Mosley, Jasia. “Messaging” Google Document, Accessed on 18 March 2025,

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OXmPWVLe7D1fsoCkcwNWZYN1c5wKdexuiCQ81Fzxo1o/edit?tab=t.0

Mosley, Jasia. “HB 3012 Testimony Template” Google Document, Accessed on 18 March 2025,

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15JigYG7cpxjhjye5VO7aVRGebm_AQcekCmGVKCZpIjI/edit?pli=1&tab=t.0