Besides elections for township, county, state and national offices, there will be contests for school board seats in the three area districts on Nov. 3.
The seats will be for four years, beginning Jan. 1, 2021. Anyone interested in serving should understand the deadline to register is at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 21. Contact the Allegan County Clerk’s office for more information on registering as a candidate.
Current board members whose terms are expiring Dec. 31:
- Wayland — President Cinnamon Mellema, Secretary Theresa Dobry and trustees Dan Cassini and Gary Wood.
- Martin — President Art Shook, Vice President Rosemary Andrews and Trustee Nate Jager.
- Hopkins — Jessica Johnston, John Myers, Ben Brenner and Jay Gibson.
A school board member must be, on the date of the election, an U.S. citizen; at least 18 years of age; a resident of Michigan for at least 30 days; a resident of the school district on or before the 30th day prior to the date of the election and a registered voter in the school district where he or she is a candidate.
Candidates have the option of paying a non-refundable filing fee of $100 to the school district filing official instead of filing a nominating petition. If so chosen, prospective candidates may begin to circulate nominating petitions for signatures 180 days prior to the date of filing. Nominating petitions then must be filed no later than 4 p.m. on the Tuesday preceding the date of the election.
A candidate for election to a local school board or an intermediate school board must file two copies of an Affidavit of Identity. The affidavit must be a written document, signed and sworn before a person having authority to administer an oath, such as a notary public.
The affidavit must then be filed together with the candidates filing fee or nominating petitions at the same office where the fee or nominating petitions are filed. Candidates who fail to file an Affidavit of Identity are ineligible to appear on the ballot.
