To run for a board of education, you must be
- a U.S. citizen,
- at least 18 years old,
- a resident of the state for at least 30 days preceding the election,
- a resident of the school district for at least 30 days preceding the election,
- registered to vote in the school district for at least 30 days preceding the election.
All candidates must file a form with the county board of elections that serves as both a declaration of candidacy and a nominating petition. This must be filed by 4 p.m. on the 90th day prior to the general election; in 2025, the filing date is 4 p.m. on Aug. 6, 2025. The filing fee is $30.
Before you file, you must obtain valid signatures from registered voters residing in your district. The number of required signatures depends on the type and size of your district:
- City (population of less than 20,000): 25 signatures required
- City (population of 20,000-49,999): 75 signatures required
- City (population of 50,000-99,999): 150 signatures required
- City (population of 100,000 or more): 300 signatures required
- Local: 25 signatures required
- Exempted village: 25 signatures required
- Educational service center: 50 signatures required
Petitions should be filed at the county board of elections office in the county where the school district is located. Petitions for ESC governing board positions must be filed at the board of elections office in the county where the ESC’s central administrative office is located.
Additional information is available on the FAQ page or in the free resource, "Get on Board: A guide for school board candidates."
The Ohio School Boards Association is here to help you. We offer candidate training, resources and email reminders of upcoming election dates and requirement. Download the 2023 board candidate brochure and sign up to receive these resources. Please note: Completing an interest form DOES NOT fulfill the requirement to file a candidate petition with your county board of elections. Anyone interested in running for an elected seat on their board of education MUST file a candidate petition with their county board of elections by 4 p.m. on the 90th day prior to the general election (4 p.m. on Aug. 6, 2025).
If you are unable to file a candidate petition by the 90th day prior to the general election, you may file a "declaration of intent to to be a write-in candidate" by 4 p.m. on the 72nd day prior to the general election to be a write-in candidate for a board of education in the Nov. 4, 2025, general election.