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Lawmakers looking to move polling sites away from schools

Jan 07, 2019 12:30 pm
Chad Arnold is reporting for the Democrat & Chronicle there is an effort underway in the state Legislature to relocate or remove polling sites from schools. The idea motivating at least three pending bills first began circulating in 2014, following several high-profile school shootings and threats of terrorism. The concept appears to be gaining momentum and legislation has been recently introduced by members of both major parties. All three bills seek to address safety at school facilities on election day, when the public casts their ballots. One bill would not bar schools from hosting elections, but instead would ensure no school be required to host a polling place while class is in session and minors are present. Another would prohibit schools from acting as polling places altogether, regardless of whether or not school is in session. A third measure would give school boards a greater say in hosting elections. The state School Boards Association is not looking to remove polling places from schools. Instead, it supports the third bill, wanting to give school boards a greater voice in the decision to host an election. Removing polling places from schools may be easier said than done, said Darlene Harris, president of the state's Election Commissioners Association. "Certainly it would be a hardship, I think, in many instances because we do utilize quite a few schools," she said. Read the full story in the Democrat & Chronicle.