I love this idea, but when we investigated, we were told by our local clerk's office (election overseer) that we couldn't have any tables anywhere near the polling place. They said they didn't think we would want to risk moms casulaly chatting about the election and then someone else complaining about "campaigning". In order for us to be legal, we would have had to set up outside which didn't seem all that practical in November in the midwest. Good luck to those of you who can do this. I think you'll get a great response.
Our school has done this before, and we will do this again this year. We are closed on Election Day, so parents and students will come in together and take a shift to sell items. We have found that early AM is the busiest selling times. Our polls open at 7am, and people will buy baked goods in the AM for breakfast or on their way to work. We plan to get donuts and muffins donated along with coffee from local coffee shops for this early time, and maybe try to get a few pizzas donated for lunch time. Plus, sodas, juices, etc. We hope to make several hundred dollars that day as we expect it to be a big turnout for the presidential election. We're going to put up signs to the effect if "while here doing your civic duty, help your local school community too!" I think we may put out a donation jar as well. We also have a diaplay board that highlights the things our PTO does for the school so people see exactly where the money is going. It should be a great day!
We have done that for the last few years at our school and it is very successful! I think as long as you aren't in the way of the lines and pollworkers, you should be fine, but do check before you go ahead. We have learned that to be successful you should have some students selling things along with the adults (with teacher's OK of course) and do not price your items - let people pay what they want. Some people will pay 5 dollars for a plate of cookies! They are always more generous when they know it is going to a school. In the past, we have made over 1,000 dollars at one bake sale, so expect to do much more than that with a busy presidential election. Good luck!
Our Superindent asks our PTO/PTA to be the greeters to the voters during election time. So they don't mind that we are there. The voters love to buy things if is going to the school. I would check with your school district if that is where voting it held.
I remember a few years ago reading about a bake sale being held during the election. So the voters waiting in line could purchase a snack or drink. I cant find any info on this and was wondering if anyone has done this or knows if it is allowed by election officals?
