We’ve all been there: showing up to the high school gymnasium with some ID in hand, ready to cast our ballot in a primary, election, or referendum. But why do we usually vote in high schools? It’s a question that has a long and varied history, and the answer has to do with access, presence, and history.
The practice of using high schools to host voting has its roots in the late 19th century, when public schools began to appear on the landscape as part of the progressive education reforms of the era. In the face of rapid urbanization, crowded churches, and a lack of reliable polling places, schools soon became a primary venue for voting.
The decision to use schools as voting booths was multi-faceted. Schools had the advantage of being easily accessible from most neighborhoods in the city. Since the voting process was expected to take a few hours, it was beneficial to have polling stations that could comfortably accommodate people from a variety of backgrounds. Schools also had the advantage of being neutral ground, which was important in a time when patriotism and loyalty to a party was expected. Moreover, schools had grown to become powerful symbols of democracy and individual rights, so there was a sense that conducting the voting process on school grounds was both logical and appropriate.
Since then, high schools have remained the go-to place for conducting voter-related activities. Today, most high school buildings in the country double as polling stations for national, state, and local races. Aside from practical considerations, there’s a symbolic meaning to casting one’s ballot in a school. It’s a reminder that the right to vote is a cornerstone of our democratic society.
Overall, the history of voting locations is one that’s closely connected to the idea of access. Schools are symbolic spaces in our society, and being able to cast one’s vote in a school reminds us of how important the freedom to do so is. High schools remain the primary place to vote for an electorate, and will likely remain that way for years to come.