Summer91

I kind of don't get having voting polls in churches either. It doesn't bother me to vote in a church, even when I wasn't a Christian. But it seems interesting considering the whole church and state thing. I realize the two are different issues, but I still find it a bit ironic.

papayahed

Are you voting inside an actual "Church (with pews and altars)" or a church owned building?

Spider

My polling place is in a church- it doesn't bother me. I'm there to do my civic duty, not to hear a sermon. I got in and out without a wait- # 29 of the morning.

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DeCurlo

Went to vote at 7:15 am. Not one line. Didn't wait at all.

multicolorcurls

voted absentee about a month ago.. hope my vote counts and NC doesn't go republican by a gigantic margin as it normally does.. maybe it'll even go democratic *hopes* I'm soo sad that I'm not at home to go out on election night.. its just not the same without that excitement

Summer91

Yep, a real honest to goodness church. They had the polls in a big, empty, open type of room though. No stalker priests or magical attacking bibles anywhere that I could see.

loosecurls

Cast my vote @ 10:23 this morning! Explained to Betsy what an important day it is & how when my grandmothers were born (1902 & 1903) their mothers didn't have the right to vote yet so as women it's a must that we get out & exercise our right to vote!

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Slinky's rule for NC.com:

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NetG

The two people who complained about voting in a church (myself and PFC) already voted.

Yes, it bothers me to vote in a church with all these posters hanging all over about Jesus my savior, etc. It really struck a chord with the amount I get annoyed with Bush's bible thumping ways. I do not care about a candidate's religious affiliation as long as it doesn't cause him/her to forget reason or the interests of those he/she represents. I think Bush DOES allow his religious affiliation to affect a lot of his decisions, in many cases to the detriment of aid societies saving lives all over the world. Since that's toward the top of the list of issues I have with Bush, seeing all the signs hanging up around me reinforced that belief.


I should note that, this was in a meeting room at a church-and the signs which were hanging up are not normally there. I think that's what bothered me most. They were put up specifically for this election. That violates all sorts of laws, I believe. I wouldn't have a problem with being in a room in which there were stained glass windows of Jesus or crosses, if those were normally in the room.


And there's an elementary school right by the church which didn't have voting. I'm used to voting happening at the schools.

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The pews never miss a sermon but that doesn't get them one step closer to Heaven.
-Speckla

But at least the pews never attend yoga!

Summer91

Just wondering if you'd explain this a little further (if you don't mind).

badgercurls

That's really strange that they have you vote in churches, especially when there are other secular buildings (like schools) that could be used. I could maybe understand if it were in a very small town with no other buildings large enough, but even that would still be rather odd. It would bother me to vote in a church, especially if there were (new) religious posters/symbols/etc. everywhere.

I'm leaving in a few minutes to vote at my voting location - a firestation.

munchkin

Most towns, I believe, are getting away from voting in schools mainly because of threats from the terrorists that they might do something to disrupt the election. After the seige and killings at the school in Russia, I think a lot of those behind the election process thought it best to pick places other than schools. In my small town they use the court house, churches, community building in one township, and firehalls in a lot of townships. There were several schools used prior to 9/11.

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3b/c

NetG

I don't mind at all.

This link is from when the actual law passed.

If you just read that, it sounds like it's not a big deal.

However, President Bush used it to withhold funding to any program which offered abortion at all, because he believes that his religion says it's wrong. Personally, I'd suggest anyone who says abortion is wrong according to the Bible look up Genesis 2-7, but that's just me and my interpretation.....

I voted for Bush anyway, but my skin was crawling as I did so.

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The pews never miss a sermon but that doesn't get them one step closer to Heaven.
-Speckla

But at least the pews never attend yoga!

PartyHair

I have to vote in a school and these days that makes me nervous for the kids - any ol' body could just wander right into the school. That's so unsafe!

I wouldn't have a problem voting in a church or a synagogue or a mosque or whatever. As someone else said, I'm not there about a religious issue; I'm there to cast my vote. The location of the polls has no impact on how I vote.

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Rock on with your bad self.

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Be excellent to each other. ~ Abraham Lincoln

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Sky

I was a little confused about the caffeine comment and the church thing. I wasn't sure if it was a joke or not.

I voted the past 12 years at a church about a mile from my house. I vote during all elections (not just presidential) and I have to say it never dawned on me to think about my voting rights being "infringed" upon as it was at a church. That is very interesting. Seriously. I never once thought about it.

I'm sure it has to have been addressed before. I wonder what has been said or done about it. I totally agree some would be very uncomfortable stepping into a place of worship (even if not decorated). Interesting.

There was a comment about voting for a candidate out of spite just because of it being held at a church. That was what caught my eye.

Summer91

I see. Truthfully, I think any person in office is going to allow their own personal beliefs (religious or otherwise) to effect their choices and decisions.

How does Genesis 2-7 refute the opinion that the Bible says abortion is wrong?

perfectlyfrizzycurls

There is no school in Chicago on Election Day, so there is no worry of people harming school children. Also, this church also, has a school. Terrorism can happen anywhere, so terrorism as a threat is pretty lame. Also, schools are always crawlign with police, even in the suburbs. Most schools have an officer assigned to the school that is there all day.

NetG

I do agree on that point about safety.

It's just the new signs put up specifically for the voting which REALLY bothered me. I've voted there before (and in rooms in which there are crosses and stained glass) without it bothering me. But knowing this stuff was just put up....ick.

__________________
The pews never miss a sermon but that doesn't get them one step closer to Heaven.
-Speckla

But at least the pews never attend yoga!

msrandee

Yeah, I agree... I went to vote around 10 and it's a good thing I didn't have to work today because I waited about a half hour. Things were going smoothly, but this polling stuff makes me nervous - plus the job interviews I've been going to and will be going to make me doubly nervous. I'm with the_cheat - just going to get drunk and pass out in front of the tube tonight.

Summer91

About police officers, I was curious about that - how many of you saw uniformed police officers at the voting polls? There was only one at mine. I was surprised, I expected more. I suppose there may have been some undercover police though (or maybe I'm just watching to much Law and Order again).

PartyHair

Great for Chicago's kids. I'm not in Chicago and the kids ARE in school today.

I agree that terrorism can happen anywhere. I was thinking more along the lines of perverts rather than terrorists.

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Rock on with your bad self.

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Be excellent to each other. ~ Abraham Lincoln

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