A bill that allows New Jersey school districts to change the way they hold their elections is headed to Gov. Chris Christie's desk.

The measure approved Monday in the Assembly gives districts the option to move their school board elections to November.

It also allows school budgets to skip voter approval if their budgets fall within a 2 percent cap on annual property tax increases. Otherwise, voters would have to approve the additional spending.

School elections are now held in April in New Jersey, and all school budgets require voter approval.

Proponents say the idea behind the bill is to allow districts to move the elections to the date of the general election to increase voter turnout. It is also estimated to save on election costs -- as much as $12 million.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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