BILL NUMBER: S2015
SPONSOR: ORTT
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law, in relation to establishing no school
shall serve as a polling place
 
PURPOSE:
This legislation would expressly prevent any elementary or secondary
school from being used as a poll site for any election.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Amends election law to state that no polling place shalt be located on
the premise of any public or private elementary or secondary school or a
school for preschool children.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
With today's threats of terrorism and mass violence, polling sites and
schools make prime targets as they attract a large group of people in a
location that can be a soft target. Every parent deserves to know that
their third will not be put in harm's way at school. Schools lock their
doors and make all visitors check in with staff. However, this changes
on Election Day. When a school is used as a potting place, the schools'
doors are open to the public. Schools have no way of knowing who is
walking through the door or what happens when they enter, so schools
cannot guarantee students' safety. Blocking schools from being used as
polling places is a commonsense reform that makes parents comfortable
putting their kids on the bus.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.658/A9813 2023-2024: Referred to Elections
S. 2703 2021-2022: Referred to Elections
S.116 2019-2020: Referred to Elections
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S2015: 4-104 election law, 4-104(3) election law