Deadline to run in November board of education election approaching

Residents must submit their completed petitions by July 30 to run in November’s board of education election

By Mike Monostra

Gloucester County residents have less a week left to submit their petitions to run in this November’s board of education election

This year’s deadline to file for the November school board election is Monday, July 30. Residents must submit their petition to the Gloucester County clerk’s office no later than 4 p.m. that afternoon to run in this year’s election.

Multiple candidates are permitted to submit a joint petition this year after the passage of a new law in the spring. Submitting a joint petition allows the candidates to be placed together on the ballot in November. Candidates can also run as individuals. Prospective candidates can download a petition at http://www.co.gloucester.nj.us/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?blobID=11083.

To run for board of education, residents:

· Must be a United States citizen

· Must be at least 18 years old

· Must be able to read and write

· Must be a registered voter in the district

· Must not be holding any other elected office or another office in the local municipality and county, or have no claim, interest in or contract with the board of education

· Must not be convicted of a disqualifying crime

Petitions must be completed and have the signatures of at least 10 registered voters in the district before being submitted. Candidates must also adhere to all state requirements to file campaign-expense reports with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.

Completed petitions can be mailed to the Gloucester County Clerk’s election division at 550 Grove Road, Paulsboro NJ 08066 or dropped off during office hours.

For more information on running for school board, visit www.njsba.org/about/candidacy.