School closed all day on election day? Is this normal?

[wheelsonthebus]

My dc's school is closed all day on May 6 (provisional date obviously) for general election as it's used as a polling station. Is this normal? It's a nightmare for working parents. Why can't people vote in council facilities or churches even?

Ahhhh....being a teacher/married to one always takes the pressure off. The rest of us without any backup cross our fingers and hope that the schools are closed for as few days as possible!

Yes,s ome schools are used and will be closed. It isn't new though. Been happening for years. We used to love the fact that our primary school was used and closed for polling days - and that would be going back to mid - late 70s now.

I remember my primary school being used as a polling station in the (whispers) 60s! so it definitely isn't a new phenomenon.

I wonder though, given the increase in numbers of both parents working since the 60s and 70s, if it shouldn't be the case that other venues are used instead of schools?

MaisietheMorningsideCat both my parents worked in the 60s and there was no flexi time or other parental consideration.

I know, and fortunately times have moved forward in terms of family-friendly working. However, it was much more common for one parent (usually the mum) to be at home in the 60s and 70s, because the formal childcare just wasn't available (as well as it still being expected of women to stay at home - again, thankfully, times have changed!)