(a) In selecting polling places, each board of elections shall, whenever possible and practicable, select schoolhouses or other public, civic, or fraternal buildings for that purpose. Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the Commissioner of Education, or other proper official or officials, shall, upon request of the board, make arrangements for the use of school or other public property for polling places.
(b) Schools or other public property shall be so used for polling places as not to interfere with the use thereof for the purposes for which they are primarily intended.