On May 17, 2022, Hilton Central School District held the Budget Vote and Board of Education Election. The polling sites were at Northwood Elementary School and the High School, and took place from 6AM to 9PM. Class was in session and students were in class during the day. Based on the experience from multiple voters, it appears that no identification was checked before individuals were granted access to the school building. 

The school shooting in Texas has shown how important it is to keep our student’s safety the top priority at all times. Allowing the community, and even those outside of the community, to have full access to school grounds is negligent and opens up many potential risks to the students.

We feel there needs to be a polling place strategy that will balance school and electoral administrative needs. If voting must take place on school grounds, students should not be present. The district could offer a professional training day to teachers, which would allow voting to take place in the school without students present. Individuals entering the building should be required to show identification before they are granted access. The school should request additional police patrol for Election Day, or use volunteer parent groups to serve as additional hall monitors. These steps would ensure Hilton student safety while allowing school grounds to be utilized as polling venues.