â€He who would trade liberty for some temporary security, deserves neither liberty nor security.†– Ben Franklin
Voting is the cornerstone of a free democracy, so where should this exercise take place? Well, probably in a public place, but Brandon & SF School District officials are saying “Not so Fast”;
Sioux Falls Schools officials have told county election managers that Hawthorne won’t be available for voting this election, citing security concerns.
Bob Bray, risk assessment manager for the Sioux Falls School District, said the building’s layout and scheduling make it hard to keep voters and students separate.
First off Mr. Bray, kids can be shot anywhere, parks, churches, walking down the street, and an election being held in your school is NOT going to increase that risk, and I almost question if you are using school shootings as an excuse.
Secondly, schools are publicly funded, and I almost question the legality of the districts denying access for an election, and would challenge Auditor Litz to dig up the laws on it.
Thirdly, the irony of all this couldn’t be more hypocritical. In a state where we scream and hollar about gun rights and being able to carry guns anywhere, we turn our backs on the very people who carry these guns and say, “Not in our facilities.” Well we can’t have it both ways. Until we change our culture about guns in South Dakota, there will still be shootings, whether they are accidental, intentional, or in a church or school setting, elections have little to do with when they occur.
Let’s end the paranoia, and stop the musical precincts;
Minnehaha County Commissioner Dick Kelly said he’s concerned the move will contribute to voter confusion during an important election.
“I think it is unfortunate you have to vote here one day, vote here another then vote here the next,†Kelly said
Litz agreed the search for polling places is a joint effort, requiring cooperation between the district and the county.
Never thought Bob and Dick would be the words of wisdom on this one, but they are right. Consistency helps with voter turnout.
Children being victimized doesn’t always happen with a firearm. I would hate to see the local unregistered and unknown pedophile coming into vote at the school where he has access to the children (even if only he was only leering at the children). I think this is a good decision; however, with a little more long-term thought, I am sure that a solution could have been reached so that voting could continue in the school.
electronic voting (vote from anywhere) would solve most of this moving precinct issue. This is – afterall – the 21st century – not the 19th.