States That Require Schools to Close on Voting Day
According to the National Education Association, the following states require schools to close on voting day:
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Ohio
- South Dakota
- West Virginia
States That Do Not Require Schools to Close on Voting Day
The following states do not require schools to close on voting day:
- All other states that do not appear on the "States That Require Schools to Close on Voting Day" list above
Local Decisions
Even in states that do not require schools to close on voting day, some local school districts may choose to close schools on voting day. This decision is often made based on the following factors:
- The location of polling places.
- The number of students who are registered to vote.
- The impact of school closures on student learning.
Impact on Students
The decision of whether or not to close schools on voting day can have a significant impact on students. Some students may benefit from having the day off to vote or to volunteer at a polling place. Other students may find it disruptive to their learning if they must miss school to vote.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to close schools on voting day is a complex one that must be made on a case-by-case basis.