Want to Run for Board of Education? File Now!

Elections for our local boards of education have been held in the spring — that is, until recently. This year, as a result of new state legislation, districts such as , and Mountainside voted to move their elections to the fall. The deadline to file nominating petitions for the fall election is June 5. Here's more information from the Union County Clerk's office:

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds anyone interested in running for school board that the annual Board of Education elections in Union County this year will be held on Tuesday, November 6, General Election Day, and that school board candidates must file their nominating petitions in her office by Tuesday, June 5.

Legislation signed by Governor Christie in January gave communities the option to change the date of their annual school board elections from April to November. All local Union County school districts have opted to move their elections to Nov. 6 this year. Unlike former years, the nominating petitions for local Board of Education candidates now must be filed with the County Clerk’s Office.

“As a former school board member myself, I want to make sure that candidates for Board of Education positions have all the information they need to file their nominating petitions on time so that their name will appear on the General Election ballot,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “School Board candidates must file their nominating petitions at the County Clerk’s Office by the deadline of Tuesday, June 5, before 4:00 p.m.”

The County Clerk’s Office has created an entire web page of School Board Election Information where pertinent details, qualifications and instructions about the Board of Education election can be found. Visit the County Clerk’s website: www.ucnj.org/government/county-clerk/ and click on “Elections.”

A candidate petition form can be obtained by calling the County Clerk’s Office at 908-527-4996 or by visiting the office at 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth NJ 07207. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, email: LBobish@ucnj.org .