Don't ban voting in schools!

Letter to the Editor:

I began working in the Peabody City Clerk’s office in September of 1963.  I was 18 years old when I experienced my first city election.  Hundreds of voters, mostly men dressed in suits waiting for election results, lined the hallways at City Hall.  It is a sight I will never forget!  Although I was too young to vote myself, as in 1963 one had to be 21 years of age, I realized then what a special privilege it is to cast a ballot for our candidate of choice. Immediately upon turning 21 years of age in 1965, I registered to vote and have never missed an election.

In 1977, I had the distinct honor of being elected Peabody City Clerk.  Overseeing the election process for the City is complex and detailed.  Preparations begin months before the actual election and involve setting the calendar, getting nomination papers out for the candidates, and registering voters.   Then “absentee” voting is open to those voters who are physically unable to get to a voting precinct on election day, tally sheets are printed and voting lists are updated.  It takes countless hours by the City Clerk to get to the actual election day!

Fifty years ago, voting precincts were located at fire stations, churches, veterans’ buildings, and City Hall, where voters would have to travel either up or down stairwells.  Our staff would have to carry big heavy wooden voting booths up these same stairwells to set up.  It was a process that was demanding, difficult and many times exhausting, but one that was done with such pride!

As the years went on, and with the change in various State and Federal laws concerning accessibility, it became more difficult to find locations that were in compliance.  Locating precincts in our schools was a wonderful solution.  They were accessible and convenient; the voters were from the neighborhood and were well known to all.  Plus, our students could see democracy in action. 

I am very aware that the times have changed in this world of ours and we must be more cognizant of all of our surroundings, but to eliminate the schools from our voting process, in my opinion, would be wrong and unnecessary.  Each of our voting precincts are assigned a police officer to work along with the elected officials, and the voters who frequent these various school locations aren’t unknown; they are the neighborhood people, the parents and grandparents of students, the very same people that the candidates campaign door to door to, seeking their vote during an election.  Personally, I find the suggestion of voting at a grocery store very uncomfortable.  It is something I would hope to never entertain.

If voting in the schools is stopped, what other public activities that draw “strangers” into the schools will be next?  Basketball games?  Talent Shows?  Moving On Ceremonies?

In closing, I thank you for listening to my views.  I am hopeful that a compromise can be reached that would allow voting to remain in our schools while addressing any safety concerns the Peabody School Committee may have. 

Sincerely,

Natalie Maga