Sen. Niemeyer has introduced SB 82 which would prohibit counties from using schools as polling places after December 31, 2023. It also contains a provision allowing a school to request that its property not be used as a location prior to that date. (Disclosure: I’m going off of the bill digest. I can’t get the body of the bill to load. The General Assembly’s website continues to be almost unbearably clunky as it’s been since its PDF/frame-heavy redesign many years ago.)
As with so many things, this is a decision the school should make. I don’t know what the stated rationale for this bill will be. If I’m being cynical, my thought is that the “wrong” sorts of voters tend to be in and around schools (especially if a school referendum is on the ballot!) There is a superficially plausible security argument to be made. Having a bunch of strangers coming in and out of the school could potentially create some anxiety. But the fact that this change can apparently wait for four years undermine the idea that this is a security concern. And, again, a school would be in a better position to make that call.
This will potentially add expense to the voting process as the election officials might have to rent space that the schools might have otherwise made available to them for no charge.
Wouldn’t a sex offender not be able to vote if their polling place is a school or too close to a school?
They could but absentee assuming that if a valid absentee reason
Make election day a national holiday and close the schools for the day. That would eliminate the security issue for students and encourage greater voter turnout, which would be a win in my book!!
you don’t need a “reason” to vote absentee
Best way to act as an informed voter. Gives time to look up and weigh your options. Frustrating to be presented with a slate of persons whose names you see for the first time in the voting booth.
I can’t remember a time when schools weren’t used as polling places. They are obvious places for community activity, easy to find with accessible parking. The election people usually use the area next to the front entrance for polling activities, enter the front door, vote and leave. Never interfered with the operation of the school. Voting in schools makes it easier for the public. This is a solution where no problem exists.
I actually worked at a insurance company that let us take four hours out of our day to vote.
The four places that I have voted in Indiana have been 2 schools, a chevy dealership and a baptist church. Instead of passing a bill stating no voting at schools how about having security at all polling places.I don’t want to be gunned down at a car dealership, a church or a school while I am casting a vote against the Donald. Or does it matter if people over 18 die instead of kids?
Please don’t tell me our schools are safe from mentally deranged gun men. Most High Schools have various exits student go walking out to sports practice or to their cars after school, No metal detector.security and the halls are packed, They might have cameras but by that time the damage has been done.
Kids haven’t learn enough civics in schools for a long time now. If the school is a polling place, they may at least know that “voting” is a word and that some people vote.
By the way, have you any comments on this? I would love the discussion.
https://www.courierpress.com/story/opinion/columnists/jon-webb/2020/01/07/new-bill-would-eliminate-u-s-senate-primaries-indiana/2825884001/?fbclid=IwAR2yVWmBLJQZfkqv-_k6w3Ex9PxX7qzxL8cAzNFqNa-LagmQFfyotmEW79E
Thanks for flagging this one. My thoughts are here:
https://www.masson.us/blog/sb-75-nomination-of-united-states-senator-candidates-at-state-convention/