church used for polling place???

[phantom power]

My parents just told me that when they looked up their polling place, it was in a local church. This was Mesa, AZ.

Both my parents and I thought that was rather weird, in a church-state separation way.

Has anybody else ever heard of that? It's the first time we've ever seen such a thing.

[Walt Starr]

1. It's been a common practice in this nation for more than 2 centuries

Happens all over. In some precincts the only public building IS the church.

[phantom power]

18. How about that. My daily something-new for learning.

[Oreo]

2. Normal here in MN

[Catch22Dem]

3. I voted in a church today

In some places, a church is the only place equipped to handle groups of people. It doesn't bother me to vote there, and I'm a hardcore atheist.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Hmm I imagine there was a time when a lot of churches were used that

way since they were the sole community structure in some areas, along with school houses.

Still, I don't count Mesa as rural or old-fashioned enough to have to use a church, so yeah, I guess that is a bit weird.

------------------------------------------------
Would Jesus love a liberal? You bet!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/

[Nite Owl]

5. Yes, we have that here too.

NY

[Habibi]

6. Really?

We vote at our neighborhood Pres joint. Been that way for years.

[GAspnes]

my polling place is a church

Catholic, as a matter of fact, with a school attached. It was nice to hear the kids playing outdoors as I left after voting.

This is in Minnesota, btw.

[Dookus]

7. quite common

I've almost always voted in a church. It's OK, just don't drink the Holy Water... it BURNS!

[judge_smales]

8. Been voting in a church for years

works OK.

[TlalocW]

9. I voted in a church today

Have every year I've lived in Tulsa.

TlalocW

[eddiebrowns]

10. Used to vote all the time in a church here in Ohio

Polling places were hard to come by, so churches and schools were used quite often. We have now gone to using the county gov't building for all city precincts in a town of 12,000. Saw on tv today that one polling place is in a mosque.

[ScreamingMeemie]

11. Common in Michigan too. Lakeside Assembly of God has been a

polling place for year in St. Clair Shores.

[Burma Jones]

12. Sure, I've voted in a church before

Rockville, MD

Montgomery County, exceptionally Democratic County, you may remember us from the whole DC sniper thing, we had the highest number of victims, but Ashcroft wouldn't send the defendents here because we just don't do the DP here in MoCo............

[Kahuna]

13. All the time. Nothing new about it.

nt

[wurzel]

14. My polling place is a church.

[Dob Bole]

15. Churches are the only community centers in a lot of places.

nt

[YDogg]

16. I vote at a Baptist church ...

... about two blocks from my home. Have for years. 'Cept this year, when I voted early.

[Zynx]

17. Colorado is using a big mosque

n/t

[Claire Beth]

19. lots of churches do that

[SW FL Dem]

20. At least half of the precincts in my area are in churches

They are large buildings that are usually in use on Tuesdays.

[shanti]

21. mine is too

but i vote absentee now:-)

[Slippery_Hammer]

22. I'm going to a church to vote

right now. My polling place is in the church gymnasium.

My wife did ask the same question about the church-state separation a wile back.

[PittLib]

23. A friend's polling place is a church ...

not a bad thing but for the */dickhead signs out front. No K/E signs in the church yard ... K/E signs in many of the yards nearby. One house even has a Kerry cutout in the window.

[Journeyman]

24. I've voted in a church on occasion. . .

always in a commons room, never the sanctuary or the church proper.

Separation of church and state is intended to keep both sides from influencing the other. Provided the state is not dictating how to worship and the church doesn't impose itself on the political process, points of mutual agreement abound. The state doesn't tax the churches. Churches open their doors in times of disaster to provide comfort and care. The state keeps liquor stores and strip joints away from churches. Churches perform a civic function by hosting the polls. And I'm sure, if you were a Jew or an atheist and objected to entering a church buidling, alternate arrangement would be made for you. I know I'd see to that if I was manning the polls.

[GoneOffShore]

25. Here in Philly

there are a lot of churches used as polling places.
Not an unusual occurence.
Now - a little off topic but to buck you up go to


http://www.takinmycountryback.com/main.htm

(For those of you with high speed connections.)