The option to delay school district elections must be the decision of the entity’s governing board. If a governmental entity decides to move to the November election date, it will need to take that action before the first day of early voting, which is April 20, 2020. However, the deadline for posting notice by the county election authority is April 13, 2020. Therefore, if a delay in
the May election is contemplated, it should be done as early as possible to avoid providing voters with conflicting information.
Please note that County election officials may also weigh in on a local school board’s ability to conduct elections. Some counties have already notified local school districts that they will not be conducting May elections due to health and safety concerns. If a school district chooses not to postpone its May regular and special elections, that school district may elect to conduct its own election. Such local decisions will, however, remain subject to health and safety-related orders
from local and state health officials as election day approaches.
Note that in the event a regular election is postponed, sitting elected officials whose terms expire in May will hold over in office until the November election. Please follow this link to the Secretary of State’s advisory for more detail.
