Want to be a board member? The Morris School District has a seat, Nov. 8

By Peggy Carroll

Here’s your chance to be an elected official. No campaigning, no ringing doorbells, not even an interview with the League of Women Voters.

All it takes is one vote and it could be yours.

Here’s the scoop:

The Morris School District Board of Education has 10 members: Five from Morris Township, four from Morristown and a non-voting one from Morris Plains, which sends kids to the high school.

They serve three-year terms. This year, two of the terms for Morris Township members expire.

One person has filed a petition, incumbent Dr. Peter Gallerstein, who is seeking reelection on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016.

No petition has been filed for the second seat. Originally it was held by Norman Blanchard, who resigned last year. The board appointed Dr. Jennifer van Frank to fill his unexpired term.

Now, with no one running, it is up for grabs by a Morris Township resident.

Here’s what happens, according to Anthony LoFranco, business administrator/board secretary for the school district.

If there is a write-in vote, no matter how small, the lucky winner is elected for a full three-year term.

If there is no write-in, the board will follow its usual procedures for filling vacancies, LoFranco said. It will advertise for interested parties, interview them and then select one. That person, however, only will serve until the next election – November 2017.

Interested? Go to your sample ballot and read the instructions on how to cast a write-in vote. Read carefully. There is a warning: An improperly cast write-in vote will be void.

Good luck.