The Sachem Board of Education signaled majority support Aug. 27 to consolidate the district’s 10 elementary-school polling sites into one centralized polling location and asked staff to prepare a resolution for the board to vote on at its next meeting.
Allison Florio, district staff presenter, told trustees the district currently uses 10 elementary schools as polling places and outlined three alternatives: one polling location (used for the June 2024 revote), two polling locations (for example, the two high schools), or three middle-school sites. “At the current moment…we are using our 10 elementary schools,” Florio said. She cited safety and cost as the principal reasons for reducing school-based polling.
Why it matters: Florio said a single site would reduce staff and equipment costs, speed tabulation at the close of polls and make it easier to handle registration or machine issues in one place. She gave an estimate that a May election currently runs about $75,000 for the district and said consolidated options could save tens of thousands of dollars — “up to $49,000 to have it as 1 polling location,” she said — while noting some voters would need to travel farther.
Board discussion focused on balancing safety, cost and voter access. Board member Mike and board member Michael both voiced concern about a single site creating a travel burden; Mike suggested three middle schools as a compromise. Board member Stephanie and others said safety at elementary schools was their overriding concern. “I think 1 location, in my opinion, is the best way to go because it’s for safety purposes,” Stephanie said.
Rather than take a formal vote that night, trustees offered a voice preference and directed staff to draft a resolution to be presented at the next meeting. Board members who voiced support for a single site included Sabrina (Board trustee), Jess (Board trustee), Matthew (Board trustee) and Meredith (Board trustee); others said they would support the majority or preferred a different option. Superintendent Mrs. Trombetta confirmed the district has no written policy on polling sites and that “we just require a simple resolution.”
Process and next steps: Florio said the district can provide voters with a poll-location finder on its website and emphasized early voting and absentee options would remain available regardless of how many sites the district designates. Trustees asked staff to bring a resolution for formal consideration at the board’s next meeting so planning and public notification can begin.
Details and context: Florio said the district previously used a single location for a June 2024 revote and reported turnout that night was about 4,800 voters. She also said neighboring districts have been reducing school-based polling; she discussed safety, staffing and logistical advantages of consolidated sites and mentioned the possibility of live-streaming tabulation at close of polls.
The board did not adopt a final policy or take a formal recorded vote at the Aug. 27 meeting; the item was directed to staff for a resolution to appear on the agenda at the next meeting.