They are concerned about their children's safety, and are far from alone. Just a few weeks ago, in a contentious special Congressional election, elementary schools remained open, like the parents in Bushkill Tp, parents at Cleveland Steward Elementary School were upset. But instead of lashing out at the county, as Bushkill Tp parents have done, they blamed the school superintendent for refusing to close school for the day.
"You’re the superintendent, you cancel school when it’s snowing, cancel school for a threat. This is like opening a doorway for an unnecessary situation,” one man said.
Under the state Election Code, preference must be given to public buildings as polling places:
"In selecting polling places, the county board of elections shall, wherever possible and practicable, select schoolhouses, municipal buildings or rooms, or other public buildings for that purpose. Any board of public education or school directors, or county or the municipal authorities shall, upon request of the county board, make arrangements for the use of school property, or of county or municipal property for polling places. In selecting polling places, the county board of elections shall make every effort to select polling places that provide all electors with an environment that is free from intimidation and violence."
Bushkill Tp parents have prevailed on State Senator Mario Scavello and State Rep.Marcia Hahn to propose a change in this law. Thus would now require to require elections officials to "make every effort to avoid selecting schoolhouses as polling places."
As of they don't have enough to do.
This legislation places an unfair burden on elections officials and if enacted, will place county officials at the mercy of private owners who will overcharge for the use of facilities that are inadequate and actually suppress the vote.
Bushkill parents love this legislation, but it's highly unlikely to go very far. Nor should it.
But change may be coming. Sometime this summer, elections registrars statewide are supposed to rally in Harrisburg. They will be asking that state law be changed to require that schools be closed on election day. I have researched this issue, and as of 2008, only five states - Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Rhode Island, and West Virginia — require schools to close on election day. he v
At Bushkill, parents are fortunate that that the volunteer fire company is willing to open its doors. But statewide, schools are the best solution.
27 comments:
It's 2018 and if I can buy a daily number or play black jack online, why not the ability to vote?
"It's 2018 and if I can buy a daily number or play black jack online, why not the ability to vote?"
Yeah, what could go wrong.
What a pain in the arse. This could be solved so simply. Either the school has a teacher in-service or a day off. It is only two frickin days a year. That way the county does not need a lease with a private concern. A public building is used for what it is intended and it is already compliant w2iht all regulations.
How this got to this point only shows how obstinate the school officials are being. Everyone knows that school district leader think they are gods but enough is enough. Time for the school board and superintendent to do the right thing.
This was true the other day and still true today. School districts are notoriously overstaffed with administrations while counties are notoriously understaffed with election officials. The school district could make it work two times a year. The days are six months apart for Christ's sake.
This is an issue that could be solved tomorrow. These same taxpayer parents will go wild at county meetings yet mot make a peep to the school officials who already have multiple days off and in-service days. An amazing non-problem.
The superintendent gave bullshot options at the school board meeti8ng. His claims should be checked into.
Keep the elections in the schools.
The odds of being a sole Powerball winner are 1 in 292 million. The odds of being shot at school are 1 in 629 million. 11 teens die every day as a result of texting while driving. If parents really cared about their kids, they'd support banning cellphones for anyone under 18. I don't care if they move the polls or close the schools. But it's important to realize how stupid this entire discussion is. If parents really cared about their kids' lives, they'd support a cellphone ban for minors, and stop their own texting while driving, too.
You are actually right, I actually agree, they can make the school secure for voting, this is much to do about nothing.
Lets change the laws and make election day a Saturday. This way many of those who travel / commute to work are given a better op to vote. I bet voter turnout would increase.
The whole premise of this issue is so misguided.
It started with the assumption that the school can't be locked down in a way that also accommodates voting.
It also assumes that a school with many additional adults on campus (voters) is somehow MORE susceptible to a shooting on the two election days a year than it is on any other day. If anything, it's the opposite - school gunmen tend to want easy targets. The presence of additional adults (and I'm not talking about any of those adults being armed) makes the school infinitely less attractive for those two days.
News flash: If a school can't be secure for voters on Election Day, it's because your school isn't safe on any other day (which needs to be addressed).
Let's stop the hysteria. On Election Day, schools don't have to close, teachers don't need to take their in-service days, and students can have a normal day of teaching.
Lets change the laws and make election day a Saturday. This way many of those who travel / commute to work are given a better op to vote. I bet voter turnout would increase.
I don't think it would.
There's much more going on for most people on weekends. While voting on a Saturday might be more attractive for some, others would surely have plans or not want to risk missing something "fun". Others might make a last minute decision to take a day (or weekend trip) and not be in the area at all.
The problem with turnout isn't the day we hold elections.
8:04 Did you ever hear of absentee ballot, anyone that has to travel on election day and wanted to vote would do it by absentee ballot.
@6:22
@6:26
This is much ado about nothing and these parents are overreacting. Whenever something happens in society we are quick to react and jump stupid unnecessary conclusions. I’m sure there are ways to cordon off the gymnasium or part of the building so people can vote and not interfere with the rest of the school. These parents are a bunch of nood nicks.
@8:04
That’s actually a very very good idea. I would be all for that!
yes, they were when i was a kid; and it should be a holiday, or they could hold elections on the weekend. with paper ballots.
It'snot "much ado about nothing" to affected parents. Those are their children, and the feelings they express are mirrored in other communities. While I agree there is little likelihood that a child would be harmed by an active shooter, I know for a fact that some of the people who are driving to these polling stations could easily run over a child. It has happened often enough to be a concern. Government has an obligation to be responsive,and I think NorCo failed these Bushkill parents. It's not so much that they failed to do what these parents want,although I would move the damn polls,b ut it's the way officials have treated these citizens. It's a disgrace.
I think the bigger question, and the one that started it all, is why couldn't the school be locked down during the Route 33 incident?
Is the voting area able to be locked to prevent access to the rest of the school? If it was, then the school should have been in lock down, and the voting area could have continued to be open. End of that issue.
Maybe it's more a matter of developing an appropriate policy for that situation than moving the polling places.
8:04 and 9:18 you used to many "very's" giving away you're the same person dummy.
If you ultimately want kids to be safe all the time, close school permanently, teach them at home over the internet, look at all the money we could save and mom could keep an eye on them all the time. Most of kids are not let out to do anything on their own now because of parental fears.Why not go all the way?
Wrap them in bubble wrap, don’t let them go anywhere or do anything. Hopefully they won’t fall in the bathtub. Give me a freaking break!
The two comments previous to this come from someone who never had children and who completely lacks empathy. Parents have every right to be concerned about the safety of their children.
Two days a year and the schools can't work this out? This is why Johnny can't read or do math. We pay multiple six figure salaries to school officials who are unable to figure this out.
This is totally asinine IMO. If the problem is gun violence, the answer isn't this. When was the last incident where someone coming to vote killed students? How will this address the violence in schools? It won't. If figures that Republicans are behind this. They will do everything to cloud the issue. Stupidest damned ideas ever - cans of rocks to toss at AK47 and AR15 shooters, teaching children CPR so when Suzie gets her heart blown out Johnny can attempt to revive her and be plagued for life with the thought of her dying in his arms.
"I’m sure there are ways to cordon off the gymnasium or part of the building so people can vote and not interfere with the rest of the school."
That's the way it was 50 years ago when I was a child and it worked just fine. Why won't it work today? Are parents going to not let their children go to malls and churches too, because plenty of people are shot in those places. Society has gone nutZ. People so busy using their "smart" phones they can no longer use the brain the good Lord gave them. No wonder we have President dumb ass Trump.
@ 10:54
You are "to" funny calling @9:18 a dummy
3/24/18 at 8:24 am . With excuses like that, no wonder voter turn out is low. They won't be voting either way. I believe it would be easier for those who work and those who foot the bills of the Gov't. Worth a try. No school closings therefore no people needing to take off to baby sit their children, no work schedule being interfered with, election day is scheduled way in advance, so change your "last second plans". It's not an all day affair to vote. If you can't, you don't give a damn anyway. I see it as a win like the previous poster.
In most democratic countries around the globe, election day is a national holiday and everything is closed. That gives everyone the same opportunity to go to the polls and doesn't give preference to those who have the ability to take the time off to go to the polls.
I like the idea of Saturday voting. Be easier on my working family and no interference for the schools or polling places. Appears to be a good idea, but sure some will complain about a change.
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