Sample School Board Petition Available Online

I just read Dan's blog about a delay in nominating petitions being available for the April school board election. The New Jersey School Boards Association has a sample Nominating Petition that might suffice. Ask the NJSBA about whether it would be acceptable and if not, why not?

Their email is info@njsba and their phone number is 888-88NJSBA.

Here is some general information on petitions from the Union County Clerk's office. My understanding is that petitions for the Plainfield April election must be handed in to the Plainfield board office, not to the county clerk.

Qualifications and Instructions for Petition

Qualifications

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

• Must be a citizen of the United States of America
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be able to read and write
• Must be a resident for at least one year preceding the date of election in the municipality where he/she is to be elected
• Is not disqualified as a voter pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:4-1
• Is not disqualified from membership for the conviction of crimes pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:12-1*
• Is a registered voter in the school district

*Within 30 days of election or appointment to the board, a member must undergo a criminal history background investigation through the New Jersey Department of Education.

Instructions for Petition

1. Before circulating the petition complete section “A. Nominating Statement” and section “B. Signatories” above the area for the signatures, printed name, residence and mailing address.
2. Then have voters sign, print their name and print their complete residence.  The candidate must sign if he/she is the person circulating the petition.
3. Once all signatures are gathered the person who circulated the petition for the signatures must take the oath in section “C.Verification” before a notary public.
4. Section “D. Notice” is the notice to which all candidates must comply.
5. In section “E. Candidate’s Acceptance and Oath of Allegiance” the candidate must take the oath before a notary public.

--Bernice