my polling location

[smileyeagle1021]

So, they've announced the polling locations for the upcoming election, and mine is at the church where the pastor lied to me and told me that they were an open and accepting congregation before the congregation made short work of informing me that I was a vile sinner who should have never been allowed into the church and my very existence was incompatible with Christ's teachings.

Yeah... this could be awkward...
Thank God for early voting and being allowed to do so at the county government center.

[Hobbs]

I...don't see the problem. It's not like the pastor's going to break into the machines and change your vote, is it?

[smileyeagle1021]

Hobbs, I doubt he would do that (in fact I know he can't). Won't change the fact that it is a place I'd rather not being going back to after my experience there. That, and as much as I dislike the church, I am trying to be the better man out of the two of us, and I'm not sure if I run into that pastor again that I will be able to hold back my thoughts (namely that he's a lying son of a bitch who lacked enough spine to tell me up front that I wouldn't be welcome and possibly suggest another more friendly avenue for me to take).

[AdminAssistant]

I really don't understand how putting polling locations in churches isn't a violation of church and state. Surely there are better locations nearby (schools, civic centers, city hall, grocery stores...)

[Hobbs]

Oh, I get that Smiley. I thought you meant the pastor would do something bastardly.

Admin, it's not a violation because the church is not influencing the state. If an athiest/other denomination is irked about going to the polling station there, then that's their problem. And in some communities, there actually may not be that many civic centers within the area, especially since voting is done by district.

[Ginger Tea]

maybe the church is getting low on a congreation and is hoping people will stop to pray after voting?

[telecom_goddess]

I'm glad the state of Oregon has vote by mail I don't have to GO anywhere...just mail it in.

[KellyHabersham]

And in some communities, there actually may not be that many civic centers within the area, especially since voting is done by district.

I have to wonder if it's that way in my area, because the church which I work for used to be a polling place for elections. (Although we don't do it anymore, as apparently the people who set up such things are really picky about things, and pay so little for using our space that it's not worth it)