Wednesday is Deadline to Register to Vote in School Elections

Residents not currently registered to vote must do so by Wednesday if they want to vote in this year's school election, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association.

Residents can register with their municipal clerk or county board of elections.

School elections will take place April 27. Polls are open from 2 to 9 p.m.

Voters will cast ballots on proposal local school district tax levies and candidates for open Board of Education seats.

In Point Pleasant Borough, residents will vote on a proposed average tax hike of $91 per year to support a proposed $29 million tax levy.

They will also choose among five candidates for two, three-year board seats. Incumbents John MacDermant, Morris Avenue, and Regina Foley, Bayberry Avenue, are challenged by Tim Harrison, Cedar Street; James Barber, Middle Avenue; and Susan Ward, Riverwood Avenue.

In Point Pleasant Beach, residents will vote on a proposed average tax hike of $59 per year to support a $10.6 million tax levy. Beth Keefe, Bay Avenue, is running unopposed for a three-year board seat.

The boards in both boroughs have adopted the proposed budgets.

If the tax levy fails on April 27 in either town, it goes to the respective Borough Council, which can leave it intact or cut it.

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 30 days before the election.  

Vote-by-Mail Any registered New Jersey voter can now vote by mail in any election for any reason. Mail-in ballots are available at the county clerk’s office.

If a resident applies for a vote-by-mail ballot by mail, the application needs to arrive at the county clerk’s office by April 20. People who want to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot in person need to visit the county clerk’s office by 3 p.m. April 26.

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.

Voter Resources  Additional information, including a printable voter registration form and vote-by-mail instructions, can be accessed by selecting the “Voter Information” link from the New Jersey Division of Elections website.

In addition, 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.