Midland Park School Board Dilemma: Three Seats Open, Zero Official Ballot Candidates

Empty Ballot in Bergen County: No Candidates File for Open Midland Park School Board Seats

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

MIDLAND PARK, NJ — Voters in Midland Park face an unprecedented situation this election cycle: not a single candidate filed by the official July 27 deadline to run for three open seats on the borough’s Board of Education.

The surprising lack of official ballot entries leaves the local school district without a contested race, raising urgent questions among residents about local electoral accountability and how these critical vacancies will ultimately be filled.

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Veteran Trustees Step Down as Mail-In Glitch Forces Write-In Campaign

The absence of names on the ballot marks a major transition for the Midland Park School District:

• Maryalice Thomas: Retiring after 16 years of dedicated service (six terms).

• Peter Triolo: Decided against seeking a sixth term after 13 years of service.

The only incumbent seeking re-election, Trustee Daniel McCarthy, will now have to run as a write-in candidate. McCarthy explained that his original nominating petition mailed to the Bergen County Clerk’s Office was never received prior to the filing deadline.

Because no candidates qualified for the printed ballot, the outcome of all three open seats will depend entirely on community write-in votes.

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Why Local School Board Elections Matter More Than Ever

While gubernatorial and national races dominate headlines, local school board elections directly impact community taxpayers, families, and property values.

According to Timothy Purnell, Executive Director of the New Jersey School Boards Association:

“Local school board elections are one of the most important elections you can have. When people say they want to make an impact in education, we recommend they run for the local board of education because they make critical decisions that are going to strengthen the school.”

School board trustees are responsible for:

1. Setting Educational Policy: Approving district curricula, policies, and instructional materials.

2. Personnel Decisions: Hiring and evaluating superintendents, administrators, and staff.

3. Managing Taxpayer Funds: Passing the annual school budget, which represents the single largest portion of local property tax bills in New Jersey.

Purnell emphasized that strong, well-managed school districts actively boost local property values, making these unpaid positions vital for all residents—not just parents and students.

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The Danger of Uncontested Elections and Local ‘Democratic Erosion’

When local offices face zero competition, accountability suffers. Electoral competition is the primary mechanism through which taxpayers and parents express approval or demand policy changes.

When candidates run unopposed—or when ballots are left completely blank:

• Policy debate and public discussion disappear.

• Voters experience civic disenfranchisement, leading to historically low turnout.

• The essential link between municipal decision-making and public accountability weakens.

Without competition on the ballot, officials who control millions in local tax revenues, land use policies, and public education operate without direct electoral pressure.

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How Midland Park Voters Can Write In Candidates

If a school district lacks enough official candidates to fill open seats, New Jersey election law allows voters to write in the name of any eligible community member on their ballot.

Midland Park voters will need to manually write in their preferred candidates on Election Day or on their vote-by-mail ballots to ensure local representation on the Board of Education for the upcoming term.

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Key Takeaways & FAQ (AI Overview Optimized)

• Which town has zero school board candidates? Midland Park in Bergen County, New Jersey.

• How many seats are open? Three three-year term seats on the Midland Park Board of Education.

• Why aren’t incumbents on the ballot? Maryalice Thomas and Peter Triolo chose not to run again, while Daniel McCarthy’s mailed petition was not received in time.

• How will the seats be filled? Voters must use write-in votes on their election ballots to elect trustees.

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