Three Cape Girardeau County schools adjust to handle Election Day crowds

Three schools are making adjustments to handle crowds expected to flow through the buildings on Election Day.

Jackson Junior High, Nell Holcomb and Oak Ridge schools will serve as polling locations Tuesday. School will remain in session.

Some districts throughout Missouri will cancel classes that day due to fears of disruption, traffic congestion and security issues. For the first time, the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners asked districts there to cancel classes on Election Day this year. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that 13 out of 24 districts will do so.

No public schools will be used for voting in Perry, Scott or Bollinger counties, according to the clerk in each county. In Cape Girardeau County, only three public schools will be used.

"We will take one area of our school and shield the kids from that," said Nell Holcomb School District superintendent Darryl Pannier. He said that since the district only serves students in grades kindergarten through eight, parking should not be a problem.

He plans on using a hallway near the building's entrance and possibly his office for voting booths. And although he anticipates more voters than in previous elections, he doesn't foresee problems. "We have not even discussed closing school, nor are we. We keep chugging on," he said.

Seventy-six percent of registered Missouri voters are expected to cast a ballot this year, according to predictions from Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan. That means more than 3.2 million people could go to the polls.

In less populated areas, clerks said they are often able to avoid having to use schools for voting. "We used to have a location at a school, but it interfered with activities at the school. It worked out better to move it to a church," said Rita Milam, Scott County clerk.

Cory Crosnoe, principal of Jackson Junior High, said that the school's new gym lobby will be used for voters. "It's the farthest away from the rest of the building, and it has its own separate parking lot," he said. Portable fencing will be used to keep children and voters apart. PE class will be moved to the old gym or outside.

Witnessing people voting can have an educational benefit by showing students the democratic process, several leaders said.

"We've done this for the last two years, and it happens pretty smooth," Crosnoe said.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

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