# Any polling stations in synagogues or mosques? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 2, 2004, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-polling-stations-in-synagogues-or-mosques/272549 "2004-11-02T14:43:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-polling-stations-in-synagogues-or-mosques/272549/1 "2004-11-02T14:43:27Z")
In the United States, multi=-purpose and assembly rooms of churches are common polling places for elections. However, I’ve never heard of a polling station in a synagogue or mosque. Several years ago, I voted at “The J” – the Buffalo Jewish Center – but it’s not a synagogue. Are non-Christian religious facilities ever used as polling places? ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-polling-stations-in-synagogues-or-mosques/272549/2 "2004-11-02T16:38:15Z")
One of the polling places where I used to live was at a synagogue. For all I know, our local one here is too; it would be a good place to have one. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-polling-stations-in-synagogues-or-mosques/272549/3 "2004-11-02T16:43:54Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > Several years ago, I voted at “The J” – the Buffalo Jewish Center – but it’s not a synagogue. Apparently, the standard practice when “borrowing” a congregation’s facilities as a polling place, is that the place of voting not be the sanctuary itself, but a common area that is freely accessible by people of all religions – i.e. nowhere where you’d have to cover yourself, or take your shoes off, or whatever. The convenience in terms of centrality, space, accessibility and parking availability of established mainstream churches tends to make it just that much easier as a polling place. ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-polling-stations-in-synagogues-or-mosques/272549/4 "2004-11-02T19:00:11Z")
From this [AFP article](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20041102/ts_alt_afp/us_vote_florida) on the voting in Florida: > [@](#): > > “Voters are lighting up our phone lines in response to these calls,” said Theresa LePore, the head electoral official in Palm Beach county. > > “It’s terrible,” she told journalists outside a synagogue in a West Palm Beach retirement community where voters were casting their ballots. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-polling-stations-in-synagogues-or-mosques/272549/5 "2004-11-02T19:27:31Z")
The previous election, I voted in a synagogue. The booths were in a small classroom. I don’t recall seeing any religious symbols. Other elections, I’ve voted in a retirement home and at a private club/restaurant. My precinct seems to choose a different polling location each election. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-polling-stations-in-synagogues-or-mosques/272549/6 "2004-11-02T19:29:23Z")
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, 32 of our 135 polling places are in churches, of various kinds, including: - Temple Israel Synagogue - First Unitarian Society - Greek Orthodox - Spirit of the Lakes (a primarily gay/lesbian church, affiliated with United Church of Christ) - Native American Ministries building - and a whole bunch of catholic & protestant church buildings. There is also a YMCA building, a YWCA building, an electrical workers Union Hall, several retirement homes/senior citizen residences, and a whole bunch of park, library, and school buildings. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-polling-stations-in-synagogues-or-mosques/272549/7 "2004-11-02T19:40:44Z")
CNN just covered a mosque that is being used for voting, I think in Colorado (though I could be wrong about the location).