Corrado: Insanity of Murphy’s Law Banning Police from Polling Sites Demonstrated as Schools with Security Concerns Switch to Remote Learning for Primary Election Day

Senator Kristin Corrado said the insanity of a new law enacted by Governor Phil Murphy and Democrat legislators that bars police officers from being near polling sites, including those in schools, is being demonstrated as a number of schools have switched to remote learning for today’s primary elections over security concerns.

Sen. Kristin Corrado said the insanity of a new law enacted by Gov. Phil Murphy and Democrat legislators that bars police officers from being near polling sites, including those in schools, is being demonstrated as a number of schools have switched to remote learning for today’s primary elections over security concerns. (Flickr)

“Everyone’s looking to better protect our schools in the wake of Uvalde, but Governor Murphy has actually made it illegal for security officers to be present in the many schools that host polling sites across New Jersey,” said Corrado (R-40). “Our schools in Wayne and a number of other districts decided to switch to remote learning for today’s primary election rather than leave children in schools unprotected while thousands of people are coming and going. It’s beyond ridiculous that schools have to decide whether to stay open with no security presence to comply with Governor Murphy’s ill-conceived law.”

Governor Murphy and New Jersey Democrats enacted a law in January that prohibits police officers from being within 100 feet of a polling place when voting is taking place.

Acting Attorney General Matt Platkin followed the enactment of the law with guidance to law enforcement agencies and county prosecutors in February advising that “…no police officer, whether on-duty or off-duty, in or out of uniform, shall remain or stand within 100 feet of an early voting location or polling place during the conduct of an election…”

In a published report today, Wayne Schools Superintendent Mark Toback explained his decision to switch to virtual instruction since six district schools that are serving as polling locations would be prohibited from having security officers on site: “It’s an unconscionable act to leave a school building unprotected in this way.”

According to the same report in The Record, the New Jersey Department of Education encouraged districts to go remote today if they are hosting polling sites.

“At a time when kids have already fallen so far behind due to the pandemic, today has basically become a wasted day for education in many districts,” added Corrado. “Our school districts shouldn’t be forced to choose between more learning loss or putting students and teachers at risk, which is exactly what’s happening today. It’s not just dumb, it’s dangerous.”