One added layer is when municipalities allow voters to select where they cast their ballots, instead of assigning them a particular polling place. That feels far less coercive to me, because those who might be reluctant enter a religious space have other options.
I do think churches and other faith communities have particular qualities - such as built in volunteer capacity - that make them great candidates for these kinds of civic activities. Like so much else in life, there's trade-offs involved.
I voted by mail, but if I had voted, the polling place is at a local church. Since I'm a church-state separations, I've never liked it. Because Arizona has optional vote by mail, I do that. I'm happy with Arizona's vote by mail system.
I’ve never voted in a church—all my polling places have been schools, and I didn’t know some schools stayed open on Election Day—but I agree with the non-observant Jew who filed suit against his voting district on the grounds that they violated separation of church and state. Why in the world would a Sunday School classroom have an anti-abortion sign inside?
My polling place is a church, and once my state started doing early voting, I always make sure to vote early so I don't have to go there. Although in more recent years, they have moved voting into a multipurpose room that is plain. However, I remember going as a kid with my mom when she voted there were tons of anti-abortion flyers when they used to have the voting in the lobby.
One added layer is when municipalities allow voters to select where they cast their ballots, instead of assigning them a particular polling place. That feels far less coercive to me, because those who might be reluctant enter a religious space have other options.
I do think churches and other faith communities have particular qualities - such as built in volunteer capacity - that make them great candidates for these kinds of civic activities. Like so much else in life, there's trade-offs involved.
I voted by mail, but if I had voted, the polling place is at a local church. Since I'm a church-state separations, I've never liked it. Because Arizona has optional vote by mail, I do that. I'm happy with Arizona's vote by mail system.
I’ve never voted in a church—all my polling places have been schools, and I didn’t know some schools stayed open on Election Day—but I agree with the non-observant Jew who filed suit against his voting district on the grounds that they violated separation of church and state. Why in the world would a Sunday School classroom have an anti-abortion sign inside?
Yep. Rural Va. Not too many options.
My polling place is a church, and once my state started doing early voting, I always make sure to vote early so I don't have to go there. Although in more recent years, they have moved voting into a multipurpose room that is plain. However, I remember going as a kid with my mom when she voted there were tons of anti-abortion flyers when they used to have the voting in the lobby.