School Board Newsletter: Upcoming Election Information for Voters

School board elections determine who governs the district. They are civic events the entire community has a right to participate in. A school district that proactively communicates factual election information, voter registration deadlines, polling locations, and what is on the ballot, is investing in the democratic process that produces the board itself.

State the election date prominently

Open with the election date. This is the single most important piece of information in the newsletter. State it in the opening sentence and repeat it in a callout or prominent formatting if your newsletter platform supports it. Families who know the date can plan to vote.

Describe what is on the ballot

List the seats up for election, including the term length and zone or trustee area for each seat. If there are ballot measures, such as a bond measure or parcel tax, name them by their official designation. Do not describe what they would fund or imply whether they should pass. That is factual description, and the district can legally provide it.

Provide voter registration information

State the voter registration deadline and include a link to the county or state voter registration portal. If same-day registration is available in your state, note that. Remove every barrier to participation that a newsletter can remove.

Describe voting options

Tell voters how they can cast their ballot. Is this an all-mail election? Are there in-person polling locations? When does early voting begin? Where are vote centers located? What is the deadline to return a mail ballot by mail versus in person? Complete voting option information serves every voter, regardless of their schedule or circumstances.

Direct voters to candidate and measure information

Direct voters to the county elections office website and any nonpartisan voter guide for candidate information and measure summaries. The district newsletter should not be the source of candidate information, but it should make finding that information easy.

Describe why board elections matter

Include a brief paragraph explaining what a school board does and why its composition matters. Families who understand the board's role in setting policy, approving budgets, and hiring the superintendent are better positioned to evaluate candidates and participate meaningfully.

Send a reminder closer to election day

One newsletter is rarely enough. Send a reminder two weeks before the election that repeats the date, mail ballot deadline, and polling location information. Daystage gives district teams the tools to send a well-timed election information series that builds genuine civic participation.