# New Jersey 2026 school board elections

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/new-jersey-2026-school-board-elections
> Updated: 2026-07-29T23:43:05.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 3.

The filing deadline for the November 3, 2026 school board elections passed on July 27, requiring candidates to collect at least 25 valid signatures. Following that deadline, multiple New Jersey districts announced their candidate slates.

In Jersey City, thirteen candidates filed for four seats, forming three slates that emphasized a pending special‑education audit and recent legal disputes involving a former trustee. In South Orange‑Maplewood, four candidates—among them Patricia Azeez, an economist and martial‑arts instructor—vied for three seats, focusing on budgeting, facility upgrades, safety and support for vulnerable students.

The Parsippany‑Troy Hills Board of Education, a nine‑member volunteer body that sets policy, approves budgets and hires the superintendent, saw seven candidates compete for three open seats. All contests are non‑partisan and will shape local education policy, budget priorities and long‑term goals for the 2026‑27 school year across the state.

County clerks will review submissions, and the New Jersey School Boards Association continues to provide guidance to candidates and voters.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-29: New Jersey school board elections feature multiple candidates in Parsippany and South Orange‑Maplewood

New Jersey school board races see seven candidates vying for three Parsippany seats and four candidates for three South Orange‑Maplewood seats, with elections on Nov. 3.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-jersey-school-board-elections-feature-multiple-candidates-in-parsippany-and-south-orangemaplewoo

### 2026-07-27: Candidates File for Jersey City and South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education Seats

Thirteen candidates vie for Jersey City Board of Education seats and four run for South Orange‑Maplewood seats, both non‑partisan elections on Nov. 3, influencing local school policy and budgets.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/candidates-file-for-jersey-city-and-south-orange-maplewood-board-of-education-seats

### 2026-07-20: New Jersey school board candidates face July 27 filing deadline

New Jersey school board candidates must submit petitions with at least 25 signatures by 4 p.m. on July 27, 2026, ahead of the Nov 3 election; Montclair has yet to receive any filings.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-jersey-school-board-candidates-face-july-27-filing-deadline

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Cite as: New Jersey 2026 school board elections. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/new-jersey-2026-school-board-elections