For Immediate Release:
February 1, 2016
Important changes for school board elections
Measure unifies polling closing times
FREEHOLD, NJ – Last month, Governor Christie signed a bill aimed at eliminating confusion for voters in school board elections into law.
The law (A3805) requires polls for school elections to close at 8 p.m. to be consistent with general and primary elections. Under previous law, if a school board election were not held at the same time as the general election, polls would stay open until 9 p.m.
“It is important for School Boards to be aware of these changes as they plan for elections in 2017,” said Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon. “It is also critical for voters to know the times when they will be allowed to vote once the law takes effect. This will not affect the school elections this year.”
The new law also changes the mandatory opening hour for school elections to 4 p.m. from 5 p.m. and changes the additional discretionary opening hour of polling places to 6 a.m. from 7 a.m.
The measure was approved 59-3 by the Assembly and 39-0 by the Senate.
For more election and voter information, go to www.MonmouthCountyVotes.com.
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