BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. — The battle for seats on Bergen County school boards is shaping up to be a crowded one, with 220 candidates filing for November’s elections and several communities facing competitive races.

Voters in 62 municipalities and seven regional school districts will head to the polls Nov. 3 to elect members of their local boards of education, according to an unofficial candidate list released by the Bergen County Clerk’s Office.

Some of the biggest contests are expected in Fair Lawn, Lyndhurst, Englewood, Fort Lee and Palisades Park, where multiple candidates are competing for open seats.

Fair Lawn is again seeing one of the county’s most crowded fields. For the third straight year, the Board of Education race features a packed ballot, with nine candidates running for three three-year terms. Another three candidates are seeking a one-year unexpired term.

Lyndhurst has 10 candidates competing for three three-year seats, while Englewood has seven candidates running for three seats. Fort Lee and Palisades Park each have six candidates vying for three available terms.

The races come as school boards remain a major focus for Bergen County residents, with education costs making up more than half of the average local property tax bill.

Property taxes are divided among county, municipal and school expenses. The county portion accounts for about 11.9% of the average tax bill, while school costs represent the largest share.

Several towns, however, will have open seats with no candidates on the ballot, including Closter, Dumont, Midland Park, Northvale, Park Ridge and River Edge.

New Jersey moved most school board elections from April to November in 2012 following concerns about low voter turnout and election expenses. While most districts now vote during the general election, a small number continue to hold April elections.

In 2024, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law eliminating public budget votes for districts holding April elections, except when districts seek to raise taxes above the state’s 2% cap.

With education spending and property taxes continuing to drive local debates, school board races across Bergen County are expected to draw significant attention this fall.