Secretary of State Trey Grayson praised the efforts of the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee for passing legislation that will further protect Kentucky students and elections.  Senate Bill 7, sponsored by Senator Alice Forgy Kerr (R-Lexington), would require schools to be closed on primary election days.  Schools already are required to be closed for general election days.

 “Schools typically serve as prime polling locations, but with classes in session, the safety of our students becomes apparent when hundreds of non-school personnel come into the school houses,” stated Secretary of State Trey Grayson.  “This legislation will still allow the use of schools as polling locations while preventing any possible unsafe situation for our students on Election Day.”

 Grayson also noted that with classes not being in session, teachers would have the opportunity to serve as precinct officers for polling locations.  Typically, recruiting poll workers is a strain in Kentucky counties, and thousands of possible poll workers would possibly be available to work under this legislation.

 “This is just another step that will continue to strengthen Kentucky’s election laws.  Hopefully, the House of Representatives will send this bill to the governor for his consideration because the safety of our students must come first.”

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