I dutifully showed up at my local elementary school to vote for the district school budget May 21. On the outside of the school near the entrance was a large sign advising that "electioneering" was prohibited within 100 feet of the school. Ironically, the school was filled to overflowing with proud parents attending a school play.
It seems to me there is an inherent element of "electioneering" by the school district in this case, which recurs every election day. In the interest of fairness, apparently, the school did allocate two parking spaces for "voters only" in a lot filled with more than 100 cars. In effect, my tax dollars are being spent to buttress one side in a two-sided issue. I find this a discouraging practice by the district and label it illegal under at least the intent of "electioneering" restrictions. Certainly, the obvious effect of the school activity renders the signage farcical in its impotent prohibition.
Jim Lougen
Cohoes