Polling Places at churches - can the IRS be called?

[DanCa]

I never trusted church polling places. If the pharmicist for life wont despense birth control pills can you imagine what the wing nuts will do in regards to voter tampering. Especially when it's on thier home turf. So I was wondering if a polling place is at a church can the IRS be called?

[ComerPerro]

1. I don't think members of the church actually get to touch the ballots

or do anything with the results.

I might be wrong

[DanCa]

2. Hmmm maybe but the whole concept seems wrong somehow. (nt)

[ComerPerro]

3. It would be especially wrong if,

(and I wouldn't be surpised if this happens in some places) the church put up signs all around like "God wants you to vote Republican"

[MemphisTiger]

6. If they do that then they lose their tax exempt status

The reason they are allowed to set up in churches is because in some small towns it's a town meeting place. The only place big enough for this type of event. I've voted in churches and government buildings and have never felt uncomfortable about it.

[ComerPerro]

7. Well, in theory

The only church I am aware of that such a thing has actually happened to is the one reported on this site, that delivered an anti-war sermon a little before the 2004 election.

[MemphisTiger]

9. The reason you don't hear it much is because as much as

many churches think one side or the other is the anti christ, paying taxes would cause them to close their doors. They get their deacons and others to do the dirty work by spreading the rumor mill among the congregation is my guess. However, some denominations are just damn conservative and some are just liberal and tend to vote that way.

[LynneSin]

16. That is correct

Churches make great polling places because of their locality to the voting district; however, the members of the church are not allowed in the voting region. The most the church can do is setup a bake-sale outside and make some money off selling coffee and baked goods.

[tsuki]

20. No, but church members were at the church trying to identify

Democrats at Pensacola Christian College and harass them out of the line. Channel 3 was called and did a segment on it.

[Bridget Burke]

4. Are the voting machines set up next to the Altar?

Or are they in the recreation hall? Sometimes, a church may have the best facility in the neighborhood for voting.

Election officials are in charge of the voting, no matter where it takes place.

You must be kidding.

[melissinha]

8. no its usually in the entrance or lobby

I have only voted in one church and it was in the entrance/lobby, just like it is in any school.

I don't see any problems, it has always been a good location.

[Ioo]

5. No, In many areas they are the only public place... I vote in a church.

[momisold]

10. Give me a frickin break.

Not EVERYTHING is a conspiracy. When I was growing up, my parents always voted at a church building as it was the large building in our area. They voted in the foyer area, or the community area like where you eat. This is NOT something new.

The church members don't handle the voting, qualified poll employees do. If they are soliciting votes they do it in the same area and distance others are allowed in.

[rinsd]

11. Damn churches!

Providing a polling place free of charge!

Considering that election workers and not the church would be in charge of the ballots(though there could of course be crossover between congregation member and poll worker), I just don't see a problem.

In other news, I will be voting a masonic lodge this evening and plan to bring my proper goat sacrifice.

[Blue_In_AK]

12. Not all churches are bad...

I vote at the UU church down the street. Before that it was the United Methodist church a couple blocks from here. I don't have a problem with it.

[WCGreen]

13. Dude, the Boards of Election rent the places out....

The churches have absolutly nothing at all to do with the voting other than making sure the door is open and the door is closed when the day is over....

I know this cause I sat on a Board of Elections for two county wide elections in the mid 90's....

[Gormy Cuss]

14. I'd rather vote in a church hall than in my neighbor's garage

The latter is exactly where my polling place is, and that block is loaded with Republicans. I don't think anything underhanded is going on but it's somewhat amusing to see the look of disgust when they see I'm one of THOSE people enrolled in the Dem party.

My polling place is 2/3 mile from my house. There is a fire station, also a polling place, 1/3 mile closer. Why we are expected to go further away to vote in a tiny 4 booth temporary station in someone's garage is beyond me. Prior to moving here I had only voted in public or community buildings (schools, church halls, fraternal lodges etc.)

[Raiden]

15. I don't see antything wrong with it

The only problem I have is when churches act like a PAC

[Lydia Leftcoast]

17. In many neighborhoods, churches are the only buildings that have

the room to set up tables, booths, etc. and possibly allow people to stand in line.

The voting booth is NEVER in the sanctuary, usually in the social hall. Back when Oregon still had in-person voting, my polling place was a Missouri Synod (=second most conservative branch) Lutheran Church, but we went in the back way directly to the social hall.

By law, you can't electioneer (display posters, wear campaign buttons, distribute literature) in a polling place or within 100 feet of one, so you aren't going to get church members standing around trying to persuade you. In fact, the people who staff the voting areas are NOT church members, but general members of the community.

The knee-jerk anti-religion crowd needs to lighten up on this issue, because the churches themselves simply rent out the space.

[Critters2]

18. I'd rather vote in a church

than in the living room of some party apparatchik, as I did when I lived in Chicago. There's just something wrong about going into a private residence to vote.

[Critters2]

19. One church where I served was a polling place

We never had anything to do with it. They came in the wee hours of the morning (well before my office hours), and just went about their business. They didn't bother us, and we didn't bother them. No more our business than when the Blood Mobile uses the building--or the lady who gives violin lessons (though a lot more pleasant than 6 year olds screeching their violins).

I never considered that I might be able to sway the election. Damn! Another opportunity lost!!

:banghead:

[ucmike]

21. i voted in a church today, no biggie.

walk into the lobby between the chapel and the offices, 4 tables, two booths, six old ladies who volunteered directing traffic and taking signatures on a slip of paper to confirm the machines counted properly. there is a big sign out front that explained the state "electioneering" laws and what was not allowed.

no campaign materials, no lectures, nothing out of the ordinary.

nothing to see here, move along.