Nearly half of CMS schools used as voting polls in mid-term election

By Amaya Turner | November 5, 2018 at 1:00 PM EST - Updated November 6 at 7:33 AM

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Almost half of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will be serving as voting poll locations Tuesday for Election Day.

CMS left a voicemail with parents Monday morning addressing concerns for security as students continue with their school. The school district says they will have increased security at the schools serving as voting sites and will also limit voters' access to school buildings.

Some schools are serving as polling locations tomorrow. Please be patient and anticipate increased activity. Measures to preserve school safety and security are in place, including increased security and limited voter access to buildings.

Learn more: https://t.co/QEyR9wOX4O pic.twitter.com/sJq4GCB2bf
— CMS (@CharMeckSchools) November 5, 2018

Good Afternoon CMS families, Tomorrow Tuesday, November 6 is Election Day. Voting is an important part of our participation in our community and sets an example for all our students. CMS encourages all eligible voters to exercise your right to vote at your assigned voting place. Some of our schools are serving as polling locations. Please be patient and anticipate increase activity if your school is serving as a polling location. Measures to preserve school security are in place at these locations. These safeguards include increased security and limited voter access to school buildings. Thank you for your support of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

- CMS

A parent however told the Charlotte Observer they are worried about the safety of the students after a fatal shooting at Butler High School Oct. 30.

Whitney Bouknight has two daughters enrolled at a CMS elementary school that were serve voters Tuesday.

“Can you please research and explain why CMS is not closed on Election Day?” she wrote the Observer. “Why are we having a teacher work day (Oct. 31) instead of on Election Day next week? It makes me shake my head.”

According to the Charlotte Observer, CMS board policy requires schools to be closed on presidential election days but leaves it up to the calendar committee — and ultimately to a board vote — on other years.