The day after Primary Tuesday, Senator Joseph Addabbo announced a proposed amendment to Senate Bill S9552, active legislation focused on school session days, local elections, and polling places. If enacted, the amended measure would add Primary Day to the official list of school non-session days, with provisions aimed at safeguarding students while ensuring robust participation in local democracy. The bill already covers Election Day. 

“Protecting our students is my top priority,” Addabbo said. “By adding Primary Day to the list of official school non-session days and clarifying staff attendance and polling-place considerations, we can safeguard classrooms, reduce last-minute schedule changes, and support our community’s right to vote. This is about blending strong public safety with a commitment to civic participation.”

The Senator noted that during his visits to polling places located in schools, the general public had access to the entire school, while children were in their classrooms. The goal is to mix strong public safety with strong civic involvement. According to Addabbo, adding Primary Day to the list of non-session days at public schools to Senate Bill S9552 will help minimize potential impacts to student safety and regular activity. Children would benefit from organized, stable school calendars that address conflicts of interest which may arise in relation to local elections and provide students with a predictable school day. 

Districts would also value clear instructions to prepare for election planning, so that officials can better manage school safety and attendance. The bill also permits school districts to mandate that staff will be required to work on Primary Day or to designate it as a day for professional development while the school is open so that administrative and educational functions can continue.

It allows districts to use flexible options to keep needed functions running and support safety standards when performing elections; grants public school districts the right to challenge the designation of a local school building as a polling place and enables districts to request safer and more appropriate polling locations when school safety issues exist or practicalities arise. 

Addabbo emphasizes that, in service of student safety and stable learning environments, it is essential to align school calendars with local civic processes. The proposed amendment seeks to minimize school-day disruptions caused by election-related activity, while preserving the integrity of the democratic process and ensuring appropriate resources and space for polling operations.

“I intend on making this bill one of my legislative priorities during the state’s next legislative session,” Addabbo concluded.