In an effort to ensure student safety, three precincts at Trenton elementary schools have been moved for the November election.

Residents who voted at precinct 2 located at Anderson Elementary School now vote at the Westfield Activities Center and those who voted at Hedke Elementary School, precincts 4 and 5, now vote at the Kennedy Recreation Center.

Trenton City Clerk Trish Gearhart said the precincts were moved to ensure the safety of students, among other reasons.

"On election day anyone can go to the schools, not just Trenton voters," Gearhart said. "You’ve got strangers wandering around the schools on election day."

Gearhart said she was approached by parents and at least one teacher who had complained about voting taking place during school hours, while students were in and out of classes.

"Parents said they were going to keep their kids at home," Gearhart said.

She added the decision to move the precincts was a proactive one. There have not been any incidents regarding student safety during previous elections.

Other circumstances lead to the change of venue for election day including:

• Difficulty setting up the night before after the schools had closed
• Interior lights at the schools were on timers and shut off during voting hours
• Inability to use the schools' gymnasiums to house voting booths