How to vote in the DCPS school’s renaming process

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Five out of nine DCPS schools will hold an election next week to begin the next phase of the renaming process.

These schools are J.E.B. Stuart Middle, Jefferson Davis Middle, Joseph Finegan Elementary, Kirby-Smith Middle, and Stonewall Jackson Elementary.

DCPS is working with the Supervisor of Elections Office to conduct the election to “ensure voting integrity and provide a safe and confidential experience for constituents”, according to DCPS website. The Supervisor of Elections will be in charge of creating the ballots, securing them, and counting them. Schools will be required to follow the security procedures for state assessments for all voting materials when polls are not open.

The polling location at each school will be open between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. each school day. Voting will take place in-person and will not be done virtually. Absentee ballots will also not be used. The school will be required to forward all poll materials to the Office of Policy and Compliance.

People who can vote are students, staff, alumni, members of the school’s School Advisory Council (SAC), members of the school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA), and residents within the school’s attendance zone.

Stakeholders can complete one ballot per eligible membership within the school community. For example, if a parent belongs to the PTA and SAC, and also resides in the attendance zone, then they will have three opportunities to cast a ballot.

In order to verify eligibility, people need to bring identification. This identification can be a school issued picture identification card, district issued picture identification card, state issued picture identification card, federal issued picture identification card, and/or a passport. Community members within a school’s attendance zone will also have to bring a piece of mail (utility bill, tax collector’s bill, etc.) that shows proof of residency.

Alumni members will be required to show an picture ID card. Alumni of the school before 2008 will also need to bring an artifact, including but not limited to, a diploma, yearbook, or other school issued artifact with the person’s name. If the person’s name has changed since leaving the school, they will need to provide a court ordered name change document, marriage certificate, or divorce decree.

Students will also have a chance to vote during the school day, outside of instruction time. For elementary school students, anyone in third grade or up can vote.

• Jefferson Davis Middle – Voting period is March 15 – 29.
• Joseph Finegan Elementary – Voting period is March 15 – 29.
• Kirby-Smith Middle – Voting period is March 15 – 29.
• Stonewall Jackson Elementary – Voting period is March 15 – 29.
• J.E.B. Stuart Middle – School Advisory Council will meet March 15 to decide final name choices. Voting period is March 17-31

Cox Media Group