FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. -- Candidates for jobs with Forsyth County will no longer have to indicate on their applications that they have a criminal record.

The Board of Commissioners voted Thursday night to join a number of municipalities in removing the arrest or conviction field from applications.

A national movement called "Ban the Box" lobbies for employers to leave criminal background out of the initial screening process to give reformed convicts a fair chance at finding jobs.

Advocates say finding work is one of the biggest obstacles to people with criminal pasts turning over a new leaf.