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P.O. Box 909 ● Trenton, NJ 08605-0909 ● Phone: 609.695.7600 ● Fax: 609.695.0413 ● Web: www.njsba.org/PI |
March 31 is Voter Registration Deadline for School Elections TRENTON, March 26, 2009—Residents not currently registered to vote must do so by Tuesday, March 31 if they want to participate in the 2009 Annual School Election, the New Jersey School Boards Association’s president reminded residents today. The Annual School Election will take place Tuesday, April 21. Voters will decide their school district’s proposed 2009-2010 school budgets and select representatives on their local school boards. Elections will take place in more than 550 of the state’s 603 school districts, and voters will choose candidates to fill approximately 1,500 school board seats. “This is a challenging year for public education in New Jersey, school boards strive to maintain a quality, cost-effective education for students,” said Harry J. Delgado, NJSBA president. “It is essential that citizens take part in the Annual School Election, as the decisions that voters make can have a significant impact on their public schools, as well as the quality of life in their communities.” Registration To register to vote, a person must be at least 18 years old by the election date; a U.S. citizen; and a resident of the state and county where they plan to vote 21 days before the election. In order to be eligible to vote in the April 21 Annual School Election, residents who are not registered should visit their municipal clerk’s office or county board of elections by March 31. Absentee ballots A recent change in state law allows any voter to vote with an absentee ballot, without being required to give a reason for not making it to the voting booth on Election Day. Absentee ballots are available at the county clerk’s office. If a resident applies for an absentee ballot by mail, the application needs to arrive at the county clerk’s office by Tuesday, April 14. People who want to apply for an absentee ballot in person need to visit the county clerk’s office by 3 p.m. April 20. Military ballots A military absentee ballot may be used by someone who is in the military service; their spouses or dependents; by someone who is a patient of a veteran’s hospital; or by a civilian attached to or serving with the Armed Forces of the United States. Citizens who need a military absentee ballot should contact the county clerk for information and deadlines. NJSBA has created an online Voter Information Center at www.njsba.org/elections that includes resources on the Annual School Election, including links for voter registration and absentee ballot information. [A list of important dates for the 2009 Annual School Election follows.] ******** VOTER INFORMATION
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