Actions

Johnson County Election Office secures larger polling sites

BVSD offers 5 gyms for November election
BVN.png
Posted at 8:31 PM, Sep 07, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-07 23:28:59-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — At least one Kansas City metro school district will allow use of its gymnasiums as polling places this November.

The Blue Valley School District already has committed five high school gymnasiums to the Johnson County Election Office.

The election presents a challenge due to the coronavirus pandemic, and instead of reading several smaller polls, Schmidt said the county is looking at larger locations, such as school gymnasiums, to fit more voting machines inside and socially distance voters.

Commissioner Connie Schmidt said having those locations is a "huge" relief.

“That's an area in the county where we really need large buildings," Schmidt said, "and there’s not many large buildings in that part of Johnson County."

Still, Schmidt and her team are continuing to secure polling locations.

“The presidential election is its own beast,” she said. “It takes a special plan, a special way to manager voters that could come in, and in Johnson County, we always want to be ready.”

Johnson County hopes other school districts will follow and provide their large spaces for November.

41 Action News is committed to providing comprehensive information on the 2020 primary and general elections with an emphasis on several key issues — the economy, the COVID-19 pandemic and race relations. Count on us to provide news and information to help you make an informed choice at the polls.