Don’t use schools as polling stations

RE: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, OCT. 15

I was interested in reading Gregory Ayres’ letter that pointed out the bad location of polling stations for people with disabilities and the hardships many face when trying to vote.

Likewise, I could never understand why polling stations are allowed in schools when boards of education have spent tax dollars making sure these buildings are secure and safe for our children. Each school now has a lockdown system that requires visitors to stand in front of cameras to allow the office staff to see who is entering before the doors are electronically opened.

Someone tell me why schools are forced to have their buildings used as polling stations that disable these security systems when election day occurs. Anyone now has free access to our schools this day without having to identify themselves. This is a huge potential incident waiting to happen.

When I pointed this out to board officials in the past they said their “hands were tied” by the Election Act that allows polling stations to be requested in schools. When pressed further I was told it’s possible security guards could be hired for election day.

What is wrong with this picture? Do we have no other locations available other than schools for polling stations? Why are we paying twice to have schools secured with tax dollars and then told more dollars could be spent to hire security guards? I feel it is time that we demand of our politicians that they bring forth legislation banning polling stations at any education site period.

Alex Bradnam

St. Catharines