History of voting locations, the reasons we vote in high schools today
Voting locations have evolved throughout history. In the United States, early voting was primarily conducted in town halls, court houses, post offices, and various other public buildings. The current practice of voting in high schools began in the mid-20th century.
The idea of using high schools as polling places first became popular in the 1950s, when many states were looking for ways to make voting more accessible. At the time, American cities were becoming more populous and public transportation was becoming more widely available, making high schools ideal places for people to meet and vote. Plus, high school facilities—which already had voting booths, ballots, and legal advisors—were a convenient choice.
In addition, high schools were viewed as both public spaces and a safe and reliable venue for voting. Students, faculty, and staff of the high school served as poll workers, which reduced the financial burden of running the polls. Overall, voting at high schools improves efficiency and encourages civic engagement.
Today, high schools remain a popular choice for polling locations due to their improved security, amenities, and available parking. Plus, they provide space for candidates to campaign in the days leading up to the election. Furthermore, voting at high schools gives students the opportunity to see democracy in action and become more engaged in the political process.