SB 2036 Summary

• Establishes the "Nonpartisan School Board Election Act" requiring all county board of education members, consolidated school district trustees, and elected special municipal separate school district trustees to be elected in nonpartisan elections concurrent with the statewide general election for Governor beginning November 2019.

• Changes all elected school board member terms from varying lengths to a uniform four-year term, with elections held every four years coinciding with the gubernatorial election.

• Requires candidates to file nominating petitions signed by at least 50 qualified electors (or 20% if fewer than 100 electors in the district) rather than through party nomination processes, with candidates selected by plurality vote and runoff elections held if no candidate receives a majority.

• Establishes that school board member elections are nonpartisan offices with no party affiliation listed on ballots, and all qualified electors regardless of party can vote in these elections.

• Provides procedures for filling board vacancies through appointment by remaining board members within 60 days, with appointees serving until the next general election where a successor is elected for the remainder of the unexpired term.