Out of the eight schools that make up the Middlesex County only The Morgan School was open on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5th. While the other schools in the county have the day off or use the day for professional development, the Clinton Public Schools District is expanding their knowledge in the classrooms. There has been conflict over the years on whether our Morgan should be closed like the rest of the districts. It’s difficult to come to an agreement when every individual has a different opinion.
In the town of Clinton, Connecticut, the polling center is located at the town hall. We are fortunate enough to have access to early voting. Last June, Governor Ned Lamont signed legislation into law creating a system of early voting. With early voting, you can submit your ballot up to 14 days prior to Election Day. Early decision is available Monday, October 21st –Sunday, November 3rd. Voting starts at 10:00 am and ends at 6:00 pm. Except for Oct 29 & Oct 31 hours are 8:00 am- 8:00 pm. Election Day hours are 6:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. Volunteers run the polling center. Now they volunteer 14 days instead of one to help the community.
The Morgan School might be impendenting students from voting. In the senior class, there are already students eligible to vote. Michael Fusco, a senior, is the boys soccer captain. Fusco attended school for the full seven hours on November 5, 2024. He recently just turned 18 and hasn’t registered to vote yet.
“I know voting closes at 8 p.m. and I have a game at four. With everything going on, I don’t have enough time to make it today.” Fusco implied if we had school off, then he would be able to accomplish same day registration and turn in his ballot.
Another senior, Demani Howard, had to adjust his schedule around to cast his ballot. He woke up extra early to vote at 6:30 a.m. on Election Day. His parents drove to the town hall with him before school. His younger siblings were at home getting ready for school.
Howard said, “It would be beneficial if we had the day off for students and parents.” Students either get driven to school or take the bus. A parent and bus driver both are over 18 and eligible to vote. If they didn’t have to drive the kids to school, then it would open up a time frame for them to vote; right before work.
Teachers seem to have varied opinions about considering Election Day off. A big argument against the day off is the 14 days of early voting that’s accessible, and our polling center is the town hall.
Mr. Madura voiced his opinion, claiming that we don’t need the day off because people will take it as a leisure day. “Election Day is a work day and voting is kind of a responsibility.” said Madura. He explained, “valuing our society and showing that we honor the U.S. is important to us and is also why we don’t have Veterans Day off.”
Maduras reasoning suggests that there is concern whether students or staff will utilize the day if given it.Expanding knowledge in the classroom on an extremely important day is crucial to young minds in the future.
Ms. Shook, a history teacher at The Morgan School, wanted Election Day to become a federal holiday. “Voting should be the easiest thing to do,” Shook claimed.
A federal holiday would mean no one would go to work or school. A federal holiday would open up time and potentially cast more ballots.
Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Famiglietti, argued the location is a primary factor in whether a town gives the day off or not.The Westbrook High School is one of the other schools in Middlesex County that uses their town hall for voting. The only difference is, they have the day off.
Famiglietti stated, “Typically, towns where the voting is done in the schools have to close because of safety reasons.” This is the main reason we don’t get Election Day off. For students who are registered to vote, Famigletti mentioned a pass that could potentially be used in the future. The pass would excuse them letting the students who are eligible to vote complete their ballot.
