Wednesday is Deadline to Register to Vote in School Elections

Residents not currently registered to vote must do so by Wednesday if they want to participate in this year's school election, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association.

School elections will take place April 27. Polls are open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Residents can register with their municipal clerk or county board of elections.

Voters will cast ballots on proposal local school district tax levies and candidates for open Board of Education seats.

According to the Office of the Ocean County Clerk, the terms of three Manchester Board of Education members are set to expire this year.

Board President Mary Walter of Whiting, who has served since 1996, and Board Member Steve Placido of Manchester, elected in 1995, will run for re-election.

Board member Gary Rhodes, who has served on the board since 1996, will not seek another term, said Craig Lorentzen, buiness administrator and board secretary for Manchester schools.

Jennifer Hudak of Manchester, who has never held a Manchester school board position, has also filed her candidacy.

Registration: To register to vote, a person must be at least 18 years old by the election date; a U.S. citizen; and a resident of the state and county where they plan to vote 30 days before the election.  

Vote-by-Mail: Any registered New Jersey voter can now vote by mail in any election for any reason. Mail-in ballots are available at the county clerk’s office.

If a resident applies for a vote-by-mail ballot by mail, the application needs to arrive at the county clerk’s office by April 20. People who want to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot in person need to visit the county clerk’s office by 3 p.m. April 26.

Military Ballots: A military absentee ballot may be used by someone who is in the military service; their spouses or dependents; by someone who is a patient of a veteran’s hospital; or by a civilian attached to or serving with the Armed Forces of the United States. Citizens who need a military absentee ballot should contact the county clerk for information and deadlines.

Voter Resources  Additional information, including a printable voter registration form and vote-by-mail instructions, can be accessed by selecting the “Voter Information” link from the New Jersey Division of Elections website.

In addition, NJSBA has created an online Voter Information Center with resources on the Annual School Election, including links for voter registration and absentee ballot information.