i often see people voting at churches for primarys or even for local offices...i am stumphed...anybody have an answer?
2007-11-06 05:37:15 · 15 answers · asked by aml 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
The church actually rents out its facilities to the local government election office to be a Polling Place for that election. That government office locates places to have voting, trains election judges, and oversees the vote count.
In Illinois many churches and libraries are used as Polling Places because 1. those who own the facility do not take a side in elections, so there is no potential of voter fraud, 2. the location is usually central to people, they know the building, it has sufficient parking, 3. these are not facilities that have customers booked into them (like a restaurant) and 4. the fee charged is very low.
2007-11-06 06:48:09 · answer #1 · answered by CatLaw 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
So many people are mis-informed about this. Separation of church and state does not exist, it never has. There is nothing in the constitution regarding this.
What the constitution says in Amendment I is: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". That's it. They are not allowed to tell you what you can and cannot believe. To disallow voting in a church would be more unconstitutional, than allowing it. Why not allow it in a church? You can set up a polling place anywhere else, even in your own home.
2007-11-06 05:46:33 · answer #2 · answered by benni 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Separation of Church and state means that the state cannot declare any religion better than the other. In other words, the church cannot regulate or influence your religious convictions.
I just don't see your point re churches being a polling place. I am a pagan and have no issue with a church being a polling location.
2007-11-06 05:45:22 · answer #3 · answered by halestrm 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Chruch and State are not separate...the first amendment of our Constitution says:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"
If a church is being used as a polling place, that does not amount to a government making a law respecting an establishment of religion.
"Separation of church and state" first appeared in a letter from Thomas Jefferson, but the phrase is not in our constitution.
2007-11-06 05:58:09 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Churches, community centres and schools are very good about donating space for voting to occur. I regularly vote in a Church and have never once been offered religious opinion, information or any other religious materials while at the polls.
For the record, I am not a Christian, however I do appreciate that many of my local churches offer a convenient and open venue for me to vote. Voting in a house of worship in no way influences my vote, in fact my decisions as to who to vote for is made long before I appear at the polls.
2007-11-06 05:42:31 · answer #5 · answered by smedrik 7 · 8⤊ 1⤋
For elections, many places are used as polling places. Schools, church halls, libraries, etc.
It has nothing to do with religion and proslytizing is not permitted in the polling place.
2007-11-06 07:23:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Churches rent out rooms for various non-church functions. Churches and fire stations provide the best polling places because they have the room, are not often busy on Tuesdays and are located all over the city.
2007-11-06 05:43:36 · answer #7 · answered by davidmi711 7 · 9⤊ 0⤋
because of location.
If the church ran and counted the votes, that would be one thing. Churches are great central locations, with large parking lots, and easy in-out access for motorists. They are one of the best logistical choices for a county to use.
The county, not the church, runs the elections. Location is irrellevant, except for logistical benefit.
2007-11-06 05:42:41 · answer #8 · answered by lundstroms2004 6 · 9⤊ 0⤋
The separation of church and state is a myth. For nearly 170 years this country promoted religion. Congress still starts it's day with a prayer. Christmas is a federal holiday. The president takes the oath of office with his hand on a bible. Somehow leftists have been able to convince some people that all of our history was a myth, that the founding fathers were practicing policies that they were not, that only now are we interpreting the constitution as it was meant to be understood. The colossal arrogance of these people boggles the mind
2007-11-06 05:44:54 · answer #9 · answered by espreses@sbcglobal.net 6 · 2⤊ 5⤋
Because it's a building with large rooms that can accomodate voting equipment?
In my little town we vote at the police station - does that make us a "police state"?
2007-11-06 06:01:31 · answer #10 · answered by Susie D 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋