In a presidential contest winding down with claims of a rigged election and calls for poll watchers, some administrators are wondering whether schools are always appropriate polling places.
“It really is raising a level of anxiety with parents and faculty as well,” said Concord Superintendent Terri Forsten, who got a call from a concerned parent after the state’s September primary. “Someone could wander into the building and hurt a person, hurt a child or hurt staff members.”
At least a dozen schools in the Concord area swap cafeteria tables or gym equipment for voting booths on Election Day.
While a handful of those districts – including Bow, Concord and Hopkinton – cancel class Nov. 8, others are remaining open, confident in their security processes.
“We always have police presence,” said Laconia Superintendent Brendan Minnihan, a district where two schools will host voters on Election Day. “They would keep an eye on any potential problems this year.”
Schools are often favored polling locations because they are known to voters, have plentiful parking and are handicapped accessible.
But some administrators say the voter traffic is disruptive during the school day. Others say parents worry about strangers inside the building.
Adding to the tension this year – some places are expecting armed voters. Federal law generally bans firearms within schools. But the attorney general’s office is advising moderators not to turn away voters simple because they have a gun – even if the polling place is a public school.
The person may be breaking the law if they don’t have a concealed carry license, but the state doesn’t have authority to enforce the federal Gun Free School Zones Act, said Assistant Attorney General Brian Buonamano.
New Hampshire is an open carry state. It doesn’t have any election law that bars voters from bringing a gun to the polling place.
That creates a conflict for some administrators.
“I understand the issue, certainly for people who do carry,” Forsten said. “On the other hand we want to be able to promote safe schools.”
Broken Ground Elementary School has long has long been a polling place. Voters file into the gymnasium and are separated from student activity by a tall blue curtain that splits the room in two.
Forsten said the district may consider moving the polling place out of the school.
“I would love to be able to continue,” she said. “At the same time we if we have to close school every time there is a primary or election based on issues for safety that doesn’t work well for us either.”
The Concord and Hopkinton school districts have historically given students the day off during presidential elections, which tend to draw high voter turnout.
Bow Memorial School became the town’s polling place a few years ago. And administrators quickly decided to cancel class during all elections, big or small. It means students will get three days off this academic year for the state primary, the general election and town races.
“It’s disruptive,” said Assistant Superintendent Duane Ford. “It’s a lot more traffic, there’s a lot more of an outside presence.”
Other districts have tested plans in place. Epsom Central School has been the town’s voting location for 10 years, and it remains open during elections including the upcoming one.
Voters cast their ballots in the gym, and all doors to the rest of the building are locked, said Principal Patrick Connors.
“The kids understand the routine,” he said.
(Allie Morris can be reached at 369-3307 or amorris@cmonitor.com.)