ยง 8-106. Polling places; attendance for educational purposes. 1.
Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, in order to
facilitate education and participation in the electoral process, a
number of students in grades eight to twelve, inclusive, not to exceed
four at any one time in any polling place, may enter any polling place
between twelve o'clock noon and three o'clock p.m. for the purpose of
observing the activities taking place therein and, when allowed by the
inspectors, for the purposes of subdivision two of this section,
provided there is proper parental or teacher supervision present, and
provided further, any such student who in any way interferes with the
orderly process of voting shall not be allowed to remain in the polling
place.
2. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, each board of
elections may provide a spare voting machine inside any polling place or
in a room adjacent to any polling place for the educational use of
students in grades eight to twelve, inclusive. Each such board shall
establish procedures for the use of the machine including, but not
limited to, location and preparation of the machine and duties of the
machine tenders. At least four weeks prior to an election, each board
intending to provide a voting booth for the educational use of students
shall notify each school district within its jurisdiction of the
location of the spare voting machine. Upon such notice, but not later
than two weeks prior to such election, each school district intending to
utilize the spare voting machine made available for educational use as
herein provided shall notify the board of such intention. Any ballot
used in connection with such spare voting machine shall be in the form
prescribed by section 7-118 of this chapter for facsimile or sample
ballots.
3. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, in order to
facilitate education and foster early participation in the electoral
process, any persons younger than the age of sixteen on election day
shall be permitted to accompany a duly qualified voting parent or
guardian into the appropriate polling place and voting booth for the
specific purpose of observing that parent or guardian vote, and for the
general purpose of observing the electoral process. Any voting parent or
guardian permitting a child to accompany them while voting shall provide
appropriate supervision so as not to allow a child to interfere with the
orderly process of voting.