D.C. public schools will remain open on Election Day despite concerns about students' safety in these schools. AU students typically agree with this decision, yet some still worry for children's safety with strangers in their school buildings.
A record number of voters are expected to vote this election year, leading some school polling locations to close for the day. Others will remain open to increase students' civic awareness.
Some schools in Massachusetts and New York are closing out of concerns for the safety of their students. All public schools in the District will remain open, while neighboring school districts in Maryland and Virginia will be closed for the day.
Last year, public schools in Rockland, Mass., decided to close after an eight-year-old girl struck by an elderly driver on his way to vote. The girl was critically injured, according to The New York Times.
Smithtown Central School District in New York has decided to close for Election Day because they anticipate crowds at their already busy schools, according to the Times.
Kaizad Irani, a freshman in the School of Public Affairs, said he agrees with D.C.'s decision to remain open on Election Day.
"It benefits kids to see what's going on and learn about the process, it doesn't interfere with the school day," he said.
Avi Cohen, a freshman in SPA, said he thinks the schools should remain open as well.
"Kids hear all the hype: when I was a kid I loved going to the polls with my parents," she said.
Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, which includes the town of Chevy Chase, is one of the state's school districts that have decided to close their doors.
"[Schools are closed] primarily because they are polling places, there will be major activity early morning to evening," said Steve Simon, a spokesperson for the school district.
Shelby Krick, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences who attended a public school in Lewes, Del., said her school district didn't close on Election Day.
"The voting went on in a separate part of the building. It's good for students to see [democracy] in action," she said.
Selwyn George, a sophomore in the Kogod School of Business said polling places might be too inappropriate for younger children.
"Kids [shouldn't] be introduced at such an early age. People yell profanities about the other person's candidate," he said.
George said he thinks metal detectors should be put in place if polling goes on while children are present. The polling locations should be kept separate from the students during the school day, he said.
AU School of Communication Professor Leonard Steinhorn, a former political consultant, said he thinks it is does not make sense for schools to be open on Election Day. Steinhorn said Election Day should be a national holiday.
"One of the most important civic duties is to vote and get involved," he said.
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