Over 40 of young people spoke at the San Francisco Board of Education meeting Feb. 23, making powerful arguments for why the city should lower the voting age for local elections. Their comments were effective, as the Board voted 7-0 to support lowering the voting age. Now, the Board of Supervisors must vote to put the measure before voters on the ballot in November. See photos and video from the night here, and read GC Bay Area Site Director David Moren’s blog post for his reaction to the inspiring night.

VIDEO: Young people give powerful testimony at the SF Board of Education meeting Feb. 23.

VIDEO: Arvaughn Williams, of Project WHAT and YEFAB, testifies at the SF Board of Education meeting Feb. 23.

Young people gathered at a speaker prep session before the meeting.

Students line up to testify at the SF Board of Education meeting Feb. 23.

Going over notes one last time before speaking at the SF Board of Education meeting Feb. 23.

Success! Young people celebrate with Board of Education members Sandra Lee Fewer and Matt Haney after the board voted 7-0 to support #Vote16SF.