Atheist group complains about use of houses of worship as polling places
An atheist organization has sent letters to two municipalities to express its view that churches, mosques and synagogues should not be used as polling places.
The Freedom of Religion Foundation (FFRF) has written to the officials in Palm Beach County, Florida and Washington County, Arkansas, requesting them to refrain from selecting houses of worship as polling locations, Christian News reported.
In the letter to Palm Beach County, dated Oct. 20, FRFF noted that the officials have selected the Islamic Center of Boca Raton as a polling place but it was changed after complaints from local residents. The organization then pointed out that Christian churches and Jewish synagogues are still being used as polling venues.
"As the governmental body charged with selecting polling places in your county, we ask that you seriously reconsider selecting any houses of worship as polling places. The debacle over the selection of the Islamic Center of Boca Raton showed precisely why this practice is unwise," FRFF wrote.
The organization argued that non-believers do not feel at ease when voting inside a church. It noted that 16 of the 17 polling places in Fayetteville, Arkansas were churches.
"Selecting churches as polling places can serve as unduly influence voters to vote in a particular way that they might not otherwise. This is especially true if the churches themselves are promoting or demonizing a particular side of an issue," FRFF stated in its letter to Washington County.
"Additionally, voters, who may be non-believers or non-Christians, could feel intimidated when they must vote at a church and view Christian messages while voting," it added.
FRFF also requested the removal of religious messages from polling places and suggested that permanent religious displays should at least be covered if churches continue to be used as venues for the election. It recommended the use of secular establishments such as public schools, firehouses, public libraries and private businesses as alternatives to churches.
The organization had also sent 15 electioneering complaints to the IRS to report the campaigning activities of churches in different parts of the U.S.