Union County residents who want a say in their local schools have until 4 p.m. Monday, July 27 to file petitions to run for school board this November.
There is one big change this year: candidates must collect 25 valid signatures from registered voters in their district, more than double the previous requirement of 10.
The higher threshold comes from a state law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in 2025 that applies to all future school board elections.
The deadline applies to communities with elected school boards, known as Type II districts.
Summit residents are not part of the election because Summit Public Schools is a Type I district. Its seven board members are appointed by the mayor rather than elected by voters.
Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi is urging candidates to file early so her office has time to review petitions and catch any problems before the deadline.
The New Jersey School Boards Association recommends collecting 28 to 30 signatures to account for possible invalid entries. Candidates can sign their own petitions, but only registered voters who live in the same school district may sign.
Candidates may also run together under a shared ballot slogan. All candidates must follow state campaign finance rules and report to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.
Petitions must be filed at the Union County Clerk’s Office, 2 Broad St., Room 113, Elizabeth. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Questions can be directed to 908-527-4996 or [email protected].
School board candidates must be:
- U.S. citizens
- At least 18 years old
- Able to read and write
- Registered voters in the district
- Residents of the municipality for at least one year before the election
Candidates elected to office must also complete a state-required criminal history check.
Key dates
Monday, July 27, 2026 — Petition filing deadline, 4 p.m.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 — School board election day for Type II districts statewide.
