This site provides information to persons interested in running for elective public office.
Partisan petitions for municipal office must be filed with the respective Municipal Clerk by 4 p.m. the 71st day prior to Primary Election Day. Partisan petitions for county office must be filed with the County Clerk by 4 p.m. the 71st day prior to Primary Election Day.
Direct/non-partisan petitions for independent candidates who want to participate in the November General Election are due to the County Clerk’s Office no later than 4 p.m. on Primary Election Day. (NOTE: This does not apply to Faulkner Town candidates; Faulkner candidates should contact their municipal clerk for petition requirements and deadlines.)
Petitions for school board candidates participating in the April Annual School Elections are due to the respective School Board Secretary by 4 p.m. the 50th day prior to Election Day.
Direct petitions for school board candidates participating in the November General Election are due to the County Clerk’s Office no later than 4 p.m. the last Monday in July. Visit the NJSBA website for more information and to register for their fall Regional Informational Program for new/incoming School Board Members.
RUNNING AS A “PARTISAN” CANDIDATE?
If you are interested in running for one of the county or municipal public offices listed above under the designation of either Republican or Democrat at the General Election, you must first run as a candidate in one of the two partisan primary elections held in June. Successful Primary candidates will go on to represent their respective party at the November General Election. Petitions for the June Primary elections must be filed before 4 p.m. on or before the 71st day prior to election day. Municipal offices are filed with the municipal clerk; County offices (as well as State Committee Member) are filed with the county clerk. The number of signatures required on a primary petition differs from one party to the next and from town to town. Click here for petitions and signature requirements.
RUNNING AS AN “INDEPENDENT” CANDIDATE?
If you do not wish to run as a Democrat or Republican candidate in November, you have the option of filing a “direct petition” with the county clerk to run for county or municipal office on the November General Election ballot. All direct petitions must be filed with the County Clerk no later than 4 p.m. of the day of the Primary election. The number of signatures required on a direct petition differs from town to town. Click here for signature requirements. Direct petitions are available from the County Clerk’s Office or visit our election forms page for an electronic petition. Call our office with questions at 973-579-0900.
RUNNING FOR SCHOOL BOARD?
School board candidates are non-partisan and are elected either at the April Annual School Election or at the school board elections held by the county in November; they do not participate in the June primary elections. Petitions for school board that participate in the April Annual School Election are filed with the respective School Board Secretary no later than 4 p.m. the 50th day preceding the election. Petitions for school boards whose elections are held at the November General Election are filed with the County Clerk no later than 4 p.m. the last Monday in July. Call our office with questions at 973-579-0900. Visit our Elections Forms page for petitions and petition information.
The NJ School Boards Association Candidates Kit is available from the NJ School Board Assn website. Residents interested in board member candidacy can download the free kit, which includes information on:
Sussex County has four “Faulkner Communities/Towns”: Byram, Newton, Sparta and Vernon. Persons interested in running for public municipal office in any of the above-mentioned Faulkner communities must contact their respective municipal clerk for petitions and signature requirements.
RUNNING FOR PARTY COUNTY COMMITTEE? Republican & Democratic County Committee members are elected in the June Primary during odd-numbered years. To learn more about party county committee click Party County Committee. For petition information and/or a petition to run for County Committee visit our Election Forms page.
If you are interested in running for one of the county or municipal public offices listed above under the designation of either Republican or Democrat at the General Election, you must first run as a candidate in one of the two partisan primary elections held in June. Successful Primary candidates will go on to represent their respective party at the November General Election. Petitions for the June Primary elections must be filed before 4 p.m. on or before the 71st day prior to election day. Municipal offices are filed with the municipal clerk; County offices (as well as State Committee Member) are filed with the county clerk. The number of signatures required on a primary petition differs from one party to the next and from town to town. Click here for petitions and signature requirements.
RUNNING AS AN “INDEPENDENT” CANDIDATE?
If you do not wish to run as a Democrat or Republican candidate in November, you have the option of filing a “direct petition” with the county clerk to run for county or municipal office on the November General Election ballot. All direct petitions must be filed with the County Clerk no later than 4 p.m. of the day of the Primary election. The number of signatures required on a direct petition differs from town to town. Click here for signature requirements. Direct petitions are available from the County Clerk’s Office or visit our election forms page for an electronic petition. Call our office with questions at 973-579-0900.
RUNNING FOR SCHOOL BOARD?
School board candidates are non-partisan and are elected either at the April Annual School Election or at the school board elections held by the county in November; they do not participate in the June primary elections. Petitions for school board that participate in the April Annual School Election are filed with the respective School Board Secretary no later than 4 p.m. the 50th day preceding the election. Petitions for school boards whose elections are held at the November General Election are filed with the County Clerk no later than 4 p.m. the last Monday in July. Call our office with questions at 973-579-0900. Visit our Elections Forms page for petitions and petition information.
The NJ School Boards Association Candidates Kit is available from the NJ School Board Assn website. Residents interested in board member candidacy can download the free kit, which includes information on:
- Important Dates
- How to Become a School Board Member
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Requirements of the New Jersey School Ethics Act
- Criminal Background Checks
- School Election and Budget Procedures Calendar
- Campaign Reporting Requirements
- Candidate Briefings
Sussex County has four “Faulkner Communities/Towns”: Byram, Newton, Sparta and Vernon. Persons interested in running for public municipal office in any of the above-mentioned Faulkner communities must contact their respective municipal clerk for petitions and signature requirements.
RUNNING FOR PARTY COUNTY COMMITTEE? Republican & Democratic County Committee members are elected in the June Primary during odd-numbered years. To learn more about party county committee click Party County Committee. For petition information and/or a petition to run for County Committee visit our Election Forms page.
This information does not pertain to Faulkner candidates. Faulkner candidates should contact their municipal clerk for petitions and petition requirements.
2024 & 2025 JUNE PRIMARIES:
2024 & 2025 GENERAL ELECTIONS
Democratic & Republican Signature Calculation Sheet
Independent Signature Calculation Sheet
The deadline to file a direct petition with the County Clerk is 4 p.m. Primary Election Day.
School Board Candidates: The minimum number of signatures required on a school board petition (regardless of the district) is 10. The candidate may sign his or her petition.
2024 & 2025 JUNE PRIMARIES:
2024 & 2025 GENERAL ELECTIONS
Democratic & Republican Signature Calculation Sheet
Independent Signature Calculation Sheet
The deadline to file a direct petition with the County Clerk is 4 p.m. Primary Election Day.
School Board Candidates: The minimum number of signatures required on a school board petition (regardless of the district) is 10. The candidate may sign his or her petition.
All petitions are found on our Election Forms page.
NOTE! In Sussex County, the use of a “nickname” on the official ballot will be permitted only if the candidate’s full and proper name (as registered with the County Board of Elections) appears together with the nickname. The nickname will appear in quotes, e.g., Thomas “Tommy” Smith.
NOTE! School board candidates are now permitted to use a (three-word) slogan and/or file joint petitions if they wish. Visit the NJ School Board Association website for a school board candidate packet. The New Jersey School Boards Association’s Election Candidates Kit is available for downloading: NJSBA Candidates Kit. Residents interested in board member candidacy can download the free kit, which includes information on: Important Dates, How to Become a School Board Member, Frequently Asked Questions, Requirements of the New Jersey School Ethics Act, Criminal Background Checks, Campaign Reporting Requirements, Candidate Briefings.
NOTE! In Sussex County, the use of a “nickname” on the official ballot will be permitted only if the candidate’s full and proper name (as registered with the County Board of Elections) appears together with the nickname. The nickname will appear in quotes, e.g., Thomas “Tommy” Smith.
NOTE! School board candidates are now permitted to use a (three-word) slogan and/or file joint petitions if they wish. Visit the NJ School Board Association website for a school board candidate packet. The New Jersey School Boards Association’s Election Candidates Kit is available for downloading: NJSBA Candidates Kit. Residents interested in board member candidacy can download the free kit, which includes information on: Important Dates, How to Become a School Board Member, Frequently Asked Questions, Requirements of the New Jersey School Ethics Act, Criminal Background Checks, Campaign Reporting Requirements, Candidate Briefings.
Following is a list of public offices to be voted in Sussex County’s 2024 General Election.
FEDERAL:
President/Vice President
U.S. Senate
U.S. Congress (5th & 7th Cong Dist)
COUNTY:
County Commissioner (3-yr term, 2 seats open)
MUNICIPAL:
ANDOVER BORO: Borough Council, two seats open
ANDOVER TWP: Township Committee, two seats open
BRANCHVILLE: Borough Council, two seats open
FRANKFORD: Township Committee, one seat open
FRANKLIN: Common Council, two seats open
FREDON: Township Committee, two seats open
GREEN: Township Committee, one seat open
HAMBURG: Borough Council, two seats open
HAMPTON: Township Committee, two seats open
HARDYSTON: Township Council, one seat open
HOPATCONG: Borough Council, two seats open
LAFAYETTE: Township Committee, one seat open
MONTAGUE: Township Committee, two seats open
OGDENSBURG: Common Council, two seats open
SANDYSTON: Township Committee, one seat open
SPARTA: Township Council, two seats open
STANHOPE: Borough Council, two seats open
STILLWATER: Township Committee, two seats open
SUSSEX: Borough Council, two seats open
VERNON: No seats open in 2024
WALPACK: Township Committee, one seat open
WANTAGE: Township Committee, one seat open
FEDERAL:
President/Vice President
U.S. Senate
U.S. Congress (5th & 7th Cong Dist)
COUNTY:
County Commissioner (3-yr term, 2 seats open)
MUNICIPAL:
ANDOVER BORO: Borough Council, two seats open
ANDOVER TWP: Township Committee, two seats open
BRANCHVILLE: Borough Council, two seats open
FRANKFORD: Township Committee, one seat open
FRANKLIN: Common Council, two seats open
FREDON: Township Committee, two seats open
GREEN: Township Committee, one seat open
HAMBURG: Borough Council, two seats open
HAMPTON: Township Committee, two seats open
HARDYSTON: Township Council, one seat open
HOPATCONG: Borough Council, two seats open
LAFAYETTE: Township Committee, one seat open
MONTAGUE: Township Committee, two seats open
OGDENSBURG: Common Council, two seats open
SANDYSTON: Township Committee, one seat open
SPARTA: Township Council, two seats open
STANHOPE: Borough Council, two seats open
STILLWATER: Township Committee, two seats open
SUSSEX: Borough Council, two seats open
VERNON: No seats open in 2024
WALPACK: Township Committee, one seat open
WANTAGE: Township Committee, one seat open
The following is the list of open school board seats to be voted in the 2024 November General Election. Petitions are due to the County Clerk no later than 4 p.m. the last Monday in July:
Andover Regional BOE: Three 3-yr term seats (Andover Twp)
Frankford Twp BOE: Three 3-yr term seats
Franklin Boro BOE: Three 3-yr term seats
Fredon Twp BOE: Two 3-yr term seats
Green Twp BOE: Three 3-yr term seats; One 1-yr unexpired term seat
Hamburg Boro BOE: Three 3-yr term seats
Hampton Twp BOE: Three 3-yr term seats
Hardyston Twp BOE: Three 3-yr term seats
High Point Rgnl H.S. BOE: One 3-yr term (Branchville); One 3-yr term (Frankford); One 3-yr term (Lafayette); One 3-yr term (Sussex Boro)
Hopatcong Boro BOE: Three 3-yr term seats ; One 1-yr unexpired term seat
Kittatinny Rgnl H.S. BOE: Two 3-yr term seats (Hampton); One 3-yr term seat (Stillwater)
Lafayette Twp BOE: Two 3-yr term seats; One 2-yr unexpired term seat
Lenape Valley Rgnl H.S. BOE: Two 3-yr term seats (Byram)
Montague Twp BOE: Two 3-yr term seats
Newton BOE: Info to come
Ogdensburg Boro BOE: Two 3-yr term seats; Two 2-yr unexpired term seats
Sandyston-Walpack BOE: Three 3-yr seats (Sandyston); One 3-yr term seat (Walpack)
Sparta Twp BOE: Three 3-yr term seats; One 2-yr unexpired term seat
Stanhope Boro BOE: Two 3-yr term seats
Stillwater Twp BOE: Three 3-yr term seats
Sussex-Wantage Rgnl BOE: Three 3-yr seats (Wantage)
Vernon Twp BOE: Three 3-yr term seats; One 2-yr unexpired term seat; One 1-yr unexpired term seat
Wallkill Valley Rgnl H.S. BOE: One 3-yr term seat (Hamburg); Two 3-yr term seats (Hardyston)
Andover Regional BOE: Three 3-yr term seats (Andover Twp)
Frankford Twp BOE: Three 3-yr term seats
Franklin Boro BOE: Three 3-yr term seats
Fredon Twp BOE: Two 3-yr term seats
Green Twp BOE: Three 3-yr term seats; One 1-yr unexpired term seat
Hamburg Boro BOE: Three 3-yr term seats
Hampton Twp BOE: Three 3-yr term seats
Hardyston Twp BOE: Three 3-yr term seats
High Point Rgnl H.S. BOE: One 3-yr term (Branchville); One 3-yr term (Frankford); One 3-yr term (Lafayette); One 3-yr term (Sussex Boro)
Hopatcong Boro BOE: Three 3-yr term seats ; One 1-yr unexpired term seat
Kittatinny Rgnl H.S. BOE: Two 3-yr term seats (Hampton); One 3-yr term seat (Stillwater)
Lafayette Twp BOE: Two 3-yr term seats; One 2-yr unexpired term seat
Lenape Valley Rgnl H.S. BOE: Two 3-yr term seats (Byram)
Montague Twp BOE: Two 3-yr term seats
Newton BOE: Info to come
Ogdensburg Boro BOE: Two 3-yr term seats; Two 2-yr unexpired term seats
Sandyston-Walpack BOE: Three 3-yr seats (Sandyston); One 3-yr term seat (Walpack)
Sparta Twp BOE: Three 3-yr term seats; One 2-yr unexpired term seat
Stanhope Boro BOE: Two 3-yr term seats
Stillwater Twp BOE: Three 3-yr term seats
Sussex-Wantage Rgnl BOE: Three 3-yr seats (Wantage)
Vernon Twp BOE: Three 3-yr term seats; One 2-yr unexpired term seat; One 1-yr unexpired term seat
Wallkill Valley Rgnl H.S. BOE: One 3-yr term seat (Hamburg); Two 3-yr term seats (Hardyston)
Street voter lists are available to voters/candidates in paper form from the county clerk’s office at a cost of $.25/district. These lists are compiled in late October each year. Candidates seeking the most up-to-date voter data can contact the County Board of Elections; voter lists can be provided electronically by the Board upon request.
Click to view a quick reference of important Election Dates & Deadlines for 2024.
Any candidate who has filed a nominating petition, including school board candidates, must file campaign reports with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) pursuant to the provisions of the New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Act. These reports contain information concerning contributions and disbursements of a candidate’s campaign. Refer to Election Dates/Reports for campaign reporting deadlines.
Phone: 609-292-8700
Web: www.elec.state.nj.us (for downloading Compliance Manual, forms, and other information)
Fax: 1-609-633-9854
Phone: 609-292-8700
Web: www.elec.state.nj.us (for downloading Compliance Manual, forms, and other information)
Fax: 1-609-633-9854
NJ State law requires that candidates file campaign finance reports with the State’s NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission. View the Candidate Manual for details or call NJ ELEC at 609-292-8700.