Date of First Campaign Contribution or Expenditure

School board candidates who receive any contribution (including their own funds), regardless of the amount, must appoint a treasurer and open a campaign bank account for the purpose of receiving contributions and making expenditures. This action must take place no later than the date on which that candidate first receives any contribution or makes or incurs any expenditure in connection with an election.

Ten Days after First Contribution or Expenditure

No later than 10 days after appointing a treasurer and opening a campaign bank account, a candidate must file a Certificate of Organization and Designation of Campaign Treasurer and Depository form with the Election Law Enforcement Commission. This form lists the candidate, chairperson (if one is appointed), treasurer and bank or depository information.

March 20, 2006

Last day to file the first campaign contribution reporting form for an individual candidate expecting to spend more than $3,500, or who receives more than $300 in contributions from any one source or any currency (cash) contributions. (These deadlines and reporting requirements also apply to candidates conducting joint campaigns. The reporting thresholds for candidates conducting joint campaigns are $6,700 for two candidates and $9,700 for three or more candidates.)

April 5, 2006

Any contribution in excess of $1,000 from any one source received between this date and the Annual School Election (April 18) must be reported within 48 hours of receipt. A similar reporting obligation is applicable for certain expenditures of more than $1,000 made in this timeframe. Contact the Election Law Enforcement Commission at 609-292-8700 for regulations applying to the reporting obligations.

April 7, 2006

Last day to file the second campaign contribution reporting form for an individual candidate expecting to spend more than $3,500, or who receives more than $300 in contributions from any one source or any currency (cash) contributions.

April 18, 2006

Annual School Election

April 24-May 6, 2006

Newly elected board members are sworn in at annual board organizational meeting

May 8, 2006

Last day to file the final campaign contribution reporting form for an individual candidate expecting to spend more than $3,500, or who receives more than $300 in contributions from any one source or any currency (cash) contributions. (These deadlines and reporting requirements also apply to candidates conducting joint campaigns. The reporting thresholds for candidates conducting joint campaigns are $6,700 for two candidates and $9,700 for three or more candidates.)

May 16, 2006

Newly appointed board members in Type I districts other than cities of the first class sworn in at board organizational meeting. (In Type I districts in cities of the first class, board member terms begin July 1.)

This information is accurate as of November 7, 2005. The Election Law Enforcement Commission is the regulatory agency regarding campaign contributions. ELEC conducts Treasurer Training seminars. Information about the seminars and all manuals and reporting forms can be found on the ELEC Web site at www.elec.state.nj.us. All questions should be directed to ELEC at 609-292-8700.