Name: Eileen Jay
Office Sought: Town Meeting Member Precinct 4
e-mail address: beanyjay [at] yahoo.commichaelschanbacherlexpb [at] gmail.com (
)phone number: 781-860-0689

Community Activities: 

• Lexington School Committee member (former Chair & Vice-chair) – elected 2016, currently serving in 3rd term
• Cary Memorial Library Trustee, Executive Board – since 2018
• Lexington Human Rights Committee, School Committee Liaison – since 2023
• Recreation Committee, School Committee Liaison – 2019-2020
• Town Meeting Member, Precinct 4 – since 2015

Article 43 on the 2024 Town Warrant is asking if the Town will authorize and request the Select Board to petition the General Court of the Commonwealth for Home Rule Legislation to allow any citizens in the Town of Lexington, who have reached the age of 16 or older, to register and vote in municipal elections within the Town, or to take any action in relative thereto. Would you support this article? Why or why not?

As someone who is deeply involved in education, I do believe in the importance of encouraging civic engagement and involvement among our young people. In LPS, we promote student voice by encouraging youth participation on diversity, school building, sustainability and advisory committees, and as representatives to the School Committee. I have worked on a statewide civic engagement program that places students in offices of legislators and elected officials to learn how the legislative process and governance works. I believe in giving young students every opportunity to learn about the political process and become knowledgeable about issues that affect us locally and globally, so that they will become more engaged citizens.

Article 43 is asking to give 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in our local elections. While the intent of encouraging engagement and early voting habits is appealing, there are responsibilities and obligations that come with the right to vote. Understanding the implications of one’s vote on the Town’s management, finances, and trajectory may involve experiences and perspectives that 16- and 17-year-olds may not yet have. It is not clear how adding this block of young voters might affect the outcome of our town elections, particularly when general turnout is low. I will continue to support engaging youth in learning about issues and civic involvement, but I am not yet sure that adding them as voters in local elections is warranted. Nevertheless, I keep an open mind and look forward to hearing debate on the Town Meeting floor.