Should Denver Schools Be Closed on Voting Days?

During elections, many Denver metro area schools are flooded with voters, which leads parents to wonder about the safety of their children during these times. Should Denver schools be closing during voting sessions? Is it safe to allow crowds of complete strangers around our children? Some parents and teachers may also wonder what the benefits will be to their Denver students.

Are there Risks to Voting Booths in Denver Schools?

As with any other time you have strangers and machinery around kids, there should be precautions. However, school personnel are often on the same watchful eye as always when it comes to Election Day in Denver. Many times the voting area is separate from where the children are learning. Even when it is not, there are precautions, such as security personnel and cameras.

When the children do get to use the polls, they are generally accompanied by teachers and staff. As a Denver metro area parent myself, I would personally be more afraid of my children not being allowed to learn about voting than having it taking place around them. My children are currently educated at home. But when I cast my vote at a booth, they accompany me to the polls. Of course they cannot come into the toll both with me. But they can see what is going on, allowing them to notice the importance of the process and prepare for voting in the future. Concerned parents can always ask the teachers and school administration how they handle things on Election Day.

What are Possible Benefits of Utilizing Polls in Schools?

Because voting is an important duty as a citizen, children need to learn about how it works. In some schools, the children get to practice casting their vote before or after the official voting takes place. Even when they do not, just seeing them there and having the ability to ask questions helps set a precedent for the future.

Denver schools have been allowing kids to participate in Election Day activities for years with success. In fact, I remember doing this myself as a child. It's one of the activities that taught me how important it is to take action and make my voice heard whenever possible. Not only did many of the Denver area schools I attended allow us to use the polls on Election Day. But some had us follow similar practices for school-related matters as well.

Should Denver Schools Close During Election Day?

This is up to the parents and teachers after weighing the benefits and risks. However, judging from a recent poll I took of Colorado voters, Denver students may benefit from schools remaining open during elections. Many Colorado voters hesitated or declined to go on record with answers to simple questions, citing frustrations with various aspects. Perhaps with continued education and support (starting from a young age), more people will be encouraged to make their vote count.

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Sources:

http://www.dpsk12.org/news/press/2002/11/04b.shtml

http://www.denvergov.org/Default.aspx?alias=www.denvergov.org/KidsVoting

https://netforum.avectra.com/eWeb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=KVUSA&WebCode=Article9597

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20101029/us_ac/7077106_quote_roundup_election_ads_discourage_colorado_voters_1