Model Policy: The School Board Election Date Act

The School Board Election Date Act shifts school board election dates to the same day as the general election.

MODEL LEGISLATIVE TEXT

Section A

1. The date of a school district’s election for members of its board of education shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, simultaneously with the general election.
2. The date of a school district’s election for members of its board of education shall be held on even-numbered years beginning in 2024.
3. The term of every school board member elected in 2024 or thereafter shall be 4 years.
4. No school board election shall be held in 2023 or any other odd-numbered year.
5. Any school board member whose term expires in 2023 or any other odd-numbered year shall continue to serve until the election in the following even-numbered year.
   • The term of any board member serving a term as of January 1, 2023, may be lengthened in accordance with this section but shall not be shortened.
   • In an even-numbered year, the number of school board seats to be elected shall be equal to those with terms that would have expired in the previous odd numbered year and those with terms expiring in such an even-numbered year.
6. Replacements of school board members who resign or die shall be according to existing statute law.

Section B

For the election of school board members, the names of all filed candidates shall be listed alphabetically with political party designation.

Section C

If any provision of this chapter, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this chapter and the application of its provisions to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.