South Orange-Maplewood School Board Elections: Here's How To Run

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — There are three seats opening on the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education and prospective candidates have until 4 p.m. on Monday to file.

The South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education consists of nine members who each serve a three-year term. There are three seats open this year.

Candidates filing a nominating petition for board membership must meet the following qualifications:

• a citizen of the United States of America
• at least 18 (eighteen) years of age to qualify for office
• able to read and write
• a resident of the municipality from which he/she is to be elected for at least one year preceding the date of the election.

They must file a nominating petition with the Essex County Clerk’s office with at least ten signatures, one of which may be the candidate’s own signature, by the July 29, 4 p.m. deadline.

Board of Education candidates may file as an individual, or they may circulate a nominating petition jointly and be bracketed together on the ballot.

Prospective school board candidates can download candidate information from the New Jersey School Boards Association's website.

The kit includes information about nominating petitions, legal qualifications for school board candidacy, and the role of the school board member. Information about the New Jersey School Ethics Act and important dates in the school election process are also included.

The general election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 5.

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