CANDIDATES seeking school board seats have until 4 p.m., Monday, July 25 to file their nominating petitions at the Ocean County Clerk's Office in order to have their name placed on the Nov. 8 General Election Ballot, according to Ocean County Clerk Scott M. Colabella.

Potential candidates are encouraged to contact the Ocean County Clerk election staff at (732) 929-2153 with regard to petition filing. Petition packets for school board candidates can be mailed to candidates from the election staff.

Completed petitions can be submitted to the Ocean County Clerk's Office, Ocean County Courthouse at 118 Washington Street in Toms River.

"The Ocean County Clerk's Office is continuing to make every effort to inform potential candidates of approaching filing deadlines and about the process to file," said Commissioner Gary Quinn, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Clerk. "Through the office's website, social media, and other avenues, County Clerk Colabella provides the information needed by both candidates and voters."

Colabella said all Ocean County school districts now hold their Board of Education elections in November.

The petition filing deadline for school board candidates had been moved from June to the last Monday in July to provide candidates with more time to submit their petitions.

Colabella said candidates can file jointly for the same office, title and term.

"Simply, more than one candidate can appear and circulate the same petition for the same office and term," he said. "In the past, petitions had to be filed separately, even if all the candidates were running on one slate."

In addition, candidates have the option of selecting a slogan of no more than three words to appear on the ballot under their name. The slogan selection is part of the petition.

Colabella said all candidates are required to file a Disclosure Statement with their petition. The statement declares a candidate is not a disqualified voter and has not been convicted of a disqualifying crime. Candidates are requested to provide an email address on their nominating petitions.

"It is important potential candidates know the requirements in order to help the petition filing process go smoothly," he said. "It's also important that candidates get their paperwork in on time."

A total of 70 school board seats will appear on the November ballot in various school districts throughout Ocean County. A complete listing of all candidates who file petitions for school board will be available shortly after the July 25 deadline at www.oceancountyclerk.com or www.facebook.com/oceancountyclerk.