Why are schools used for voting

thomasm · 17-02-2016 02:06PM

andekwarhola wrote: »

Going on memory (?), since 2011, we've had 5 polling days: a general election, local election and 3 referendums. I think a presidential election was held simultaneously with one of the referendums.

It's hardly an unimaginable inconvenience that would justify squandering taxes on renting - and enduring the headache of sourcing - private polling stations when free - centrally located in communities - polling premises already exist?

...and in this instance where the parish halls are located beside the schools and can be rented for €5 per hour do you think it too much for government to spend circa €60-65 on this as opposed to me and many others paying €100 for a days childcare. Not much heartache in involved in choosing to go across the road and not having to empty out a bunch of tables and chairs

andekwarhola · 17-02-2016 02:15PM

thomasm wrote: »

...and in this instance where the parish halls are located beside the schools and can be rented for €5 per hour do you think it too much for government to spend circa €60-65 on this as opposed to me and many others paying €100 for a days childcare. Not much heartache in involved in choosing to go across the road and not having to empty out a bunch of tables and chairs

I've a tiny suspicion they're probably thinking about what is most convenient and cheapest process for the nation as a whole. I doubt they're going to table a cabinet meeting about your parish hall and childcare costs. You never know though.

Steppenwolfe · 17-02-2016 02:15PM

gandalf wrote: »

Thankfully we use our local community centre these days. TBH as a country we should not be depriving our children of a days education to run an election. Also I believe voting should be extended over a whole weekend rather than just one day.

I'd be in agreement with that. However, most the complaints seem to be from people worrying about who's going to look after their kids for them.

andekwarhola · 17-02-2016 02:19PM

d2ww wrote: »

You are not factoring in costs to all the parents in added childcare, lost earnings for the self employed etc.

It's an inconvenience for me as well but there's been 5 polling days(?) since 2011 and we're unlikely to see 3 referendums in the space of 5 years as a regular occurrence.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo · 17-02-2016 02:22PM

It should always be held in schools because of ease of use and cost benefits. But voting should be done on a weekend day, possibly both Saturday and Sunday.

There's no real logical reason that kids should miss a day of school and teachers get a full day of pay on a Friday while most people would find it more convenient to vote on a weekend anyway.

thomasm · 17-02-2016 02:25PM

andekwarhola wrote: »

I've a tiny suspicion they're probably thinking about what is most convenient and cheapest process for the nation as a whole. I doubt they're going to table a cabinet meeting about your parish hall and childcare costs. You never know though.

Not sure how inconveniencing potentially hundreds of thousands of people is most convenient on the whole when a simply solution exists. In terms of cost, how about a small percentage reduction in the amount of posters, pamphlets, adverts etc...Less rubbish to recycle and money and holidays saved by many

seamus · 17-02-2016 02:28PM

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

It should always be held in schools because of ease of use and cost benefits. But voting should be done on a weekend day, possibly both Saturday and Sunday.

There's no real logical reason that kids should miss a day of school and teachers get a full day of pay on a Friday while most people would find it more convenient to vote on a weekend anyway.

Didn't work last time. Voting was held on a Saturday. Turnout was dismal, one of the worst turnouts ever.

Cienciano · 17-02-2016 02:34PM

BizzyC wrote: »

Would you be happy to have potential weirdos poking around your son's school?
Any other day of the year there would be questions asked of the creepy guy randomly walking on school property...

Yes, no problem with that.

Dodge · 17-02-2016 02:34PM

thomasm wrote: »

Not sure how inconveniencing potentially hundreds of thousands of people is most convenient on the whole when a simply solution exists. In terms of cost, how about a small percentage reduction in the amount of posters, pamphlets, adverts etc...Less rubbish to recycle and money and holidays saved by many

Except the state pays for the elections and doesn't pay for advertising

Its one day folks. Let the kids and teachers have a day off. Most parents are only too happy to have an excuse to take a day off too

Sure a few are upset but as already mentioned in this thread some people will whinge about anything.

This really isn't a big deal and has proved to be the best situation for the majority of people.

andekwarhola · 17-02-2016 02:36PM

thomasm wrote: »

Not sure how inconveniencing potentially hundreds of thousands of people is most convenient on the whole when a simply solution exists. In terms of cost, how about a small percentage reduction in the amount of posters, pamphlets, adverts etc...Less rubbish to recycle and money and holidays saved by many

I too arrange a day off or arrange childcare on polling days because I presume that schools present the cheapest (free) geographically convenient location for the nation/taxpayer as a whole.

I don't necessarily view every national/macro event purely in terms of my own needs.

Maybe we should just agree to differ?

Kat1170 · 17-02-2016 03:21PM

Jebus, can you imagine the outrage on AH's if someone's Bingo, Badminton, Bric-a-brac sale or whatever that had been organised months in advance had to be cancelled because the local hall was to be used for an election.

People don't even want to mind their own kids never mind miss out on something really special ...

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo · 17-02-2016 04:05PM

seamus wrote: »

Didn't work last time. Voting was held on a Saturday. Turnout was dismal, one of the worst turnouts ever.

Really? Didn't know that.

I would have thought students returning home, less people having work, less traffic on the roads etc. would have increased turnout.

AnonoBoy · 17-02-2016 08:12PM

murpho999 wrote: »

Simple, polling card would have a number and if it's used it's used. Would need to be electronically done though.

Now we're into a whole other minefield!

Fianna Failers were minting it for years storing the last batch of voting machines we got in!

oppenheimer1 · 17-02-2016 08:21PM

Up until thirty years ago, some polling stations were in private houses.

Schools are used since they are existing public buildings that are in every locality and almost guaranteed to be fully accessible.

AnonoBoy · 17-02-2016 08:54PM

BizzyC wrote: »

Would you be happy to have potential weirdos poking around your son's school?

I am one of those weirdos.

Believe me guys - you don't want me around kids.

Not cause I'd do anything to them - just cause I'd annoy the sh*t out of them telling them about how "cartoons in my day were way better than the crap you f*ckers watch today. Paw Patrol - gimme a break! You ever hear of Animaniacs? NO? WHAT? You kids are f*cking idiots."

It's why I'm not welcome at family gatherings before eight in the evening these days..

Kiwi in IE · 17-02-2016 09:27PM

Why are elections not held on weekends? And why can you only vote when you physically present to your electorate? All polling booths should have a ballot box for out of electorate votes. The system makes it more difficult for professionals and college students who are more likely to be working/studying miles from home, also for the younger generations who are from rural areas but are living in temporary flatting situations in cities, and have not changed their address on the electoral role from their parents place.

kneemos · 17-02-2016 09:36PM

Kiwi in IE wrote: »

Why are elections not held on weekends? And why can you only vote when you physically present to your electorate? All polling booths should have a ballot box for out of electorate votes. The system makes it more difficult for professionals and college students who are more likely to be working/studying miles from home, also for the younger generations who are from rural areas but are living in temporary flatting situations in cities, and have not changed their address on the electoral role from their parents place.

They might not necessarily want students voting as they possibly don't vote for the mainstream parties.
Certainly would be more democratic to hold it over the weekend,both days preferably.

byhookorbycrook · 17-02-2016 09:44PM

gandalf wrote: »

Thankfully we use our local community centre these days. TBH as a country we should not be depriving our children of a days education to run an election. .

One day is hardly going to ruin their chances of getting into 3rd level. As a teacher, I'd prefer to see every child attend school without missing days for holidays or trips to 1D or just because the parent was too lazy to get up that morning. And no, my school doesn't close, never did.

Muahahaha · 17-02-2016 10:05PM

Anyone know how they do it in the UK or other countries?

Kiwi in IE · 17-02-2016 10:13PM

Muahahaha wrote: »

Anyone know how they do it in the UK or other countries?

I only know about NZ. Voters can present at any polling booth in any electorate, does not have to be the one you live in. Elections are always held on a Saturday so as to be less likely to interfere with work/religious commitments. I can vote in NZ for the rest of my life, even if I don't ever live there again, so long as I have entered the country once in the past (I think it's 3 years from memory).

(Edit: Just to clarify I can vote in NZ elections from here for the rest of my life, via overseas vote. I don't have to physically be in the country to be entitled).

galah · 17-02-2016 10:25PM

You have postal votes in Germany, so you wouldn't have to show up in person. I think you need to register for that though.

Then again, the actual election register is a lot more tightly controlled anyway, as people have to register their residence, none of this registered down the country but living in the city stuff, so less travel involved as everyone lives near their local polling station by default.

elections are usually held on a Sunday, as not to inconvenience the working public...

(Anyone currently in Germany correct me if I'm wrong please, havent voted over there in about 20 years...)

Sunny Dayz · 18-02-2016 11:03AM

If the election had been called a week earlier, they would have had their pick of schools since they are on mid term now...

Fleawuss · 18-02-2016 11:04AM

Schools have loads of the oul abacus. Makes counting dead handy.
:eek:

18-02-2016 11:28AM

The main reason why I vote is to see my old primary school

murpho999 · 18-02-2016 11:51AM

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Now we're into a whole other minefield!

Fianna Failers were minting it for years storing the last batch of voting machines we got in!

I don't mean voting electronically but you would be marked electronically that you have voted.
So if you tried to vote again somewhere else, then it would be noticed.

At present they just have a paper version of the register and cross you out.

toiletduck · 18-02-2016 11:58AM

Kiwi in IE wrote: »

Why are elections not held on weekends? And why can you only vote when you physically present to your electorate? All polling booths should have a ballot box for out of electorate votes. The system makes it more difficult for professionals and college students who are more likely to be working/studying miles from home, also for the younger generations who are from rural areas but are living in temporary flatting situations in cities, and have not changed their address on the electoral role from their parents place.

I'm sorry but this is just wrong. Every election I hear the same stuff from people. If people are arsed, it's easy to get a postal vote

You may also be eligible for a postal vote if you cannot go to a polling station because:

Of a physical illness or disability
You are studying full time at an educational institution in Ireland, which is away from your home address where you are registered
You are unable to vote at your polling station because of your occupation
You are unable to vote at your polling station because you are in prison as a result of an order of a court.

From http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/elections_and_referenda/voting/registering_to_vote.html#leb892

Of course when I have pointed this out to people they usually reply that it's too much hassle... Let's be honest, they weren't likely to vote anyway.

jeremymurphy · 18-02-2016 12:05PM

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

If the election had been called a week earlier, they would have had their pick of schools since they are on mid term now...

This.

murpho999 · 18-02-2016 12:08PM

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

If the election had been called a week earlier, they would have had their pick of schools since they are on mid term now...

And who would open the school and all other things required.

Anyhow, let the kids just enjoy an extra day off.

jeremymurphy · 18-02-2016 12:09PM

murpho999 wrote: »

And who would open the school and all other things required.

Anyhow, let the kids just enjoy an extra day off.

Who will open next Friday when they are closed?

murpho999 · 18-02-2016 12:23PM

jeremymurphy wrote: »

Who will open next Friday when they are closed?

Headmaster/caretaker who would normally be working instead of on holidays.

Why are schools used for voting

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