New Law Bans Dual Office Holding

New Law Bans Dual Office Holding

On September 4, Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed into law a measure that will prohibit newly elected public officials from simultaneously holding more than one elective office. The new law, P.L. 2007 C. 161, pertains to all elected officials, including school board members.

Effective February 2008, any elected official holding more than one elective office will forfeit their dual-office holding status if they fail to win re-election to one of their currently held positions. Board members who currently serve on a local district board and a regional school board will be allowed to continue to serve in both roles as long as they continue to be re-elected. Once a break in service occurs, however, their ability to hold more than one office ends.

This bill, which was part of an overall ethics package, had been approved by both the Senate and the General Assembly last June.