Poll: Should School Board Elections Be In November?

The New Jersey Legislature passed a bill on Monday that would allow municipalities the option of moving school board elections to November. Currently, those elections and budget votes take place in April.

Any one of three groups can make the decision to move the vote: the school board, local voters (through a petition) and municipal government.

Moving the vote to November would align it with the general election. If a municipality chooses to move the vote to November, a district's budget would automatically pass if it remained within the 2 percent property tax cap. If it did not, it would still require voter approval, as would second questions.

Supporters of the bill, including Gov. Chris Christie, say it will save money by holding only one election, while also bringing in more votes since more people tend to vote in the general election than on the school board.

Opponents say that by eliminating the vote on a budget that falls within the 2 percent cap, it takes away the rights of residents.

Tells us what you think? Do you support the move to November and the elimination of the 2 percent cap vote? Like the move, but not if it means eliminating the budget vote? Or are you against the bill all together? Vote in our poll and then tell us why you voted that way in the comments.