Time is running out for Camden County residents who are interested in running in their local board of education election this year.
Residents interesting in running in the board of education election in November must file their petition with the Camden County Clerk’s Office by 4 p.m. on Monday, July 29. Petitions must be submitted to the clerk’s office’s election division, located at 100 University Court in Blackwood.
To run for board of education, candidates must meet the following criteria:
· Candidates must be a citizen of the United States
· Candidates must be at least 18 years old
· Candidates must be able to read and write
· Candidates must be a resident of the municipality from which he/she is to be elected for at least one year prior to Election Day
· Candidates must not be disqualified as a voter
· Candidates must be a registered voter in the district
· Candidates cannot be convicted of a disqualifying crime
In addition, board of education members cannot be directly or indirectly involved in any contract with or claim against the board.
To complete a petition, a candidate must acquire the signatures of at least 10 registered voters from their municipality.
For the second consecutive year, candidates can be bracketed together on the ballot. These candidates may choose a three-word, nonpolitical designation conveying the principles they represent, according to the county clerk’s office. To be bracketed together, candidates should circulate and submit one joint petition.
A full list of requirements for running for school board is listed on the petition at www.camdencounty.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/School-Board-Petition.pdf. More information can also be found on the New Jersey School Boards Association website at www.njsba.org/about/membership/membership-school-board-members/school-board-candidacy.
Prospective candidates can download nomination petitions online at www.camdencounty.com or grab a copy of a petition at the county clerk’s office. Completed petitions may be delivered in person to the Camden County Elections and Archive Center at 100 University Court in Blackwood from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Petitions can also be mailed in to The Office of the Camden County Clerk, P.O. Box 218, Blackwood NJ 08012-0218. Any mailed-in petitions must arrive prior to the deadline. Postmarks are not acceptable.
