Kaminsky Discusses his Bill to Barr Schools for Being Used as Polling Locations
Originally published in
LI schools push back against use as polling places
Education officials on Long Island, citing concerns about security, are supporting legislation that would allow schools to opt out of their role as polling places, which political leaders and election officials say could depress voter turnout by creating logistical havoc.
School administrators long have objected to their status as hosts to political elections, when they must open their doors to throngs of voters and poll inspectors. Schools have no choice in the matter, even if their policy is to check visitors’ IDs as they enter the grounds. As tax-exempt organizations, schools cannot challenge their assignments under state law.
Schools have spent large sums of money this year on safety measures aimed at restricting and controlling access to their buildings, following mass shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas. This fall, schools across Long Island have debuted or planned to add new security vestibules, perimeter fences, armed guards, and a requirement that visitors wear ID badges.
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