Traditionally in Tarrant County, as in many counties across Texas, a lot of the voting precincts are in schools. But because of a scheduling quirk, it doesn't look like that will happen for this year's primary.
The Tarrant County Elections Department had counted on using 34 schools in the Fort Worth Independent School District, but they have just been notified by FWISD that none of the schools can be used this year. The reason they have been given is that TAKS tests are being given on the same day. The school district administrators feel that the voters would bother the students who are trying to take the test.
This puts the Elections Department in a quandry. They have a very short time to find 34 new election sites -- not an easy task, even in a city the size of Fort Worth. They can't just put them anywhere. They should be in the precinct that is voting.
In off-election years, some precincts have been combined. But this is not an off-year. This is a presidential-election year. Other states are showing record turnouts for the primary elections. If Texas has anywhere near a record turnout, it would be a serious mistake to combine precincts.
It does seem odd that it is only FWISD that is banning the elections from school sites. Other districts in Tarrant County are also holding the TAKS tests on that day, and even though some have voiced reservations, none has kicked the elections out of their schools.
In fact, school districts across the state, including here in the Panhandle, will be allowing elections to be held in many of their schools even though they are also holding the tests on the same day.
I believe the FWISD is overreacting. I voted in Tarrant County schools for over 20 years and I never found the voting sites to be loud or disruptive. If there is some doubt about a site or two, then the school resource officers should be assigned there, or the FWPD should be asked for help.
Schools are public property and paid for with public funds. They have a duty to make themselves available for important public functions. In a republic such as ours, nothing is more important than voting. It is how we choose our government, which affects every part of our lives.
I urge the FWISD to reconsider. Surely something can be worked out.
you should file a lawsuit to get it straight before the elections, the schools could test a day early or late. you are right that this will confuse and stop folks from voting.
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