The 2026 School Election and Budget Procedures Calendar (Election Calendar) includes the statutory election dates and the budget procedures timeline for the 2026-27 April school election, November school election, and the special elections. You may access the Election Calendar through the link on the New Jersey Department of Education’s (NJDOE) Office of School Finance Annual School District Budget website.
Key Steps/Actions
School districts must follow the budget and election timeline applicable to their district type and election date. To facilitate compliance, the Election Calendar is organized by school district type (e.g., Type I or Type II) and election date (April or November). For each type and election date, the Election Calendar presents statutory and regulatory dates by which the board of education or board of school estimate must complete specific budget-related processes. Dates and processes are also given for county vocational districts, county special services school districts, educational services commissions, and school districts under full state intervention. Also presented are special election dates, including municipal clerk notification deadlines for the three 2026 special election dates and the municipal clerk notification deadline for the January 2027 special election.
Contact Information
Please email questions regarding the 2026 School Election and Budget Procedures Calendar to: budget@doe.nj.gov