17-Year-Old Deemed Eligible for Board of Ed Race

A 17-year-old Millburn resident has thrown his hat in the race for one of the four open seats in the November Millburn Board of Education elections. 

Chase Harrison's petition was originally denied on Tuesday because of his age at the time of filing. However, on Wednesday the decision was reversed.

"After speaking with county council, we feel that because his ability to vote in the election I am deeming him a qualified candidate," Essex County Clerk Chris Durkin said.

Harrison turns 18 years old on Sept. 26, making him eligible to vote in the November election, according to his father, David Harrison. 

Harrison has filed to run for the one-year seat, left by Jean Pasternak's term since she resigned in February to focus on family matters, along with Rona Wenik, the current vice president of the school board.

This adds one more newcomer in the race for four open seats along with Emily Jaffe and Michael King and incumbents Michael Birnberg, Wenik and John Westfall-Kwong.

"We feel this is inordinate amount of time to be filing before the election," Durkin said. "He doesn't have to be a qualified voter at the time of filing."

Durkin explained, before school board of elections were moved to November, candidates were required file their petition only 55 days before the elections. Currently, candidates must file more than five months before.

When Durkin was asked if he thinks the filing deadline should be changed, he told Patch, "That is something the legislators should consider."

Durkin added, "If we are trying to encourage candidates and democracy, having a filing date closer to election day invites more participation."

Harrison could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday morning.