NIXA, MO— Nixa Schools now try to duck a Missouri law and excuse themselves from being a polling place on election day. That’s the word on the street. The school board is supposed to vote on it Tuesday.
But Missouri law requires tax supported public buildings, including schools, to serve as polling places. Here is the law:
The real reason behind it all
The Christian County Trumpet isn’t like other publications. We get to the real scoop. So here it is: In Nixa, it’s not about public safety, increased costs for security, or the public interfering with students. While those are legitimate concerns, the real skinny is because school officials don’t like a vocal group of patriots standing their ground on first amendment rights.
You see, a clash occurred at a Nixa school on the August primary election day between Nixa Schools Communication Specialist Michael Slamb and political activist Ron Sanders over whether political signs could be left unattended.
Slamb approached Sanders and other political activists at a Nixa school polling place and told them they couldn’t put a political sign in the ground on school property. They had to hold it.
Sanders reminded Slamb school property is public property on election day for that purpose and no such agreement was constitutional. Sanders informed Slamb there would be a federal legal case if necessary to protect first amendment rights.
There was no abusive language and no interference with anyone during the interaction. Sanders captured the incident on video.
On the video, Slamb tells Sanders the political sign can’t be in the ground because that would appear the school supports a particular candidate.
What a bunch of hooey! Can you imagine seeing a political sign on election day as you walk into the polling place to vote, and being stupid enough to think the school or church or those responsible for the public building must somehow endorse a candidate because of a sign posted for that day only?
Shee-man-ee Christmas! How far down the egghead trail have Nixa school masters gone!
It appears Nixa School Superintendent Doctor Geral Loden doesn’t like pesky patriots patrolling “his” school on election day. The good doctor can be reached at Geralloden@nixaschools.net if you want to share your thoughts with him.
This isn’t about Slamb (he’s a minion for Dr. Geral). It isn’t about Sanders (although he’s right about the first amendment).
It’s not even about school safety and added expenses, or who should foot the bill. It’s not about whether we should dismiss classes on election day and scramble to make up another precious calendar day.
It’s about first amendment rights to have a political voice heard on election day at polling places.
In this example, the sign in question was for Western District Commissioner candidate Johnny Williams. His sign was said to be off limits unless physically held by someone. It couldn’t be planted in the ground.
Meanwhile, on the east side of Christian County, Eastern District Commissioner candidate Bradley Alan Jackson had no such restrictions. Citizens, including Sanders, Eddie Campbell and Jennifer Rosebrock, raised concerns after the August primary incident. Click here for the background story.
Other ideas
Schools are tax funded public buildings. If safety is a concern, dismiss classes on election day.
Other options include encouraging mail in ballots to save time and money. Potential fraud may be an issue with that, however.
Click here and Here for other mainstream news sources on the issue. Liberal news outlets often decry first amendment freedoms in pursuit of silencing opponents. They point to incidents where Donald Trump supporters get feisty over the 2020 election being stolen. Can you blame them?
Meanwhile, the school board is supposed to vote Tuesday on whether they will remain a polling place, despite Missouri law.