Polls In Churches

  • 18-Sep-2006: Delivered letter to Registrar Of Voters regarding polling places in churches and Christian Examiner newspaper.
    Letter_To_Registar_of_Voters_re_polling_in_churches.rtf: Requests list of polling places in churches, requests no more polling in churches, requests followup on Christian Examiner Newspaper.
  • 04-Oct-2006: Called to get status. Referred to person handling it. Left message for a return call.
    • Len Schultz, Chief Deputy of Precinct Services is handling the request. Direct phone line: (858) 565-5800 x5493
    • Left second message, Oct 5.
    • Had an extensive voice conversation with Leonard Schultz. He suggested that we make the request to move polling places out of churches to the Secretary of State.
  • RoV_Response_10-23-06.pdf: Response from Registrar of Voters 10-23-06

Information from Registrar of Voters obtained 10/20/2006:

County wide, a total of 499 precincts are in churches, some share the same church, so there are fewer churches involved. There are a total of 1646 actual polling places (not including virtual precincts that correspond to different types of ballots, of which there were 257 in the last election.) So, about 30% of the polling places are in churches.

They could not say how many churches put the polling machines in the sanctuary, or on the altar, as we found in Hillside Church of God. However, he assured me that they requested that all churches move the polling places out of the sanctuary.

I will have this list at the 10/24/2006 meeting and we can discuss how to handle a survey of the churches to see where they have their precinct, and if they have the Christian Examiner newspaper available in the polling place (as we found at Hillside Church of God). It is likely that we will need some volunteers to visit those sites and see what they are doing.

In our area, we have the following 71 Churches to survey.

WHAT TO DO:
  1. Check WHERE the polling is being done. It should NOT be in a ceremonial area (i.e. sanctuary).
  2. Check for VOTER GUIDES such as the CHRISTIAN EXAMINIER Newspaper. There should be nothing with 100 feet.
  3. At the end of the day, if you can, take pictures of the final results and write it down. See Election Monitoring for details.
  4. Call Registrar Of Voters info line and leave complaint.
  5. We will follow up with a written complaint after the election.

PLEASE EMAIL raylutz@ecdcweb.org and tell him which location you want to check out.

Precinct Area Church Address City Zip Volunteer Notes
466400 SANTEE CALVARY CHAPEL OF SANTEE 10920 SUMMIT AVE SANTEE 92071    
466560 SANTEE VALLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH 8824 COTTONWOOD AVE SANTEE 92071    
466570 SANTEE SON RISE COMMUNITY CHURCH 8805 N MAGNOLIA AVE SANTEE 92071    
466800 SANTEE CARLTON HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH 9225 CARLTON OAKS DR SANTEE 92071    
467100 SANTEE CARLTON HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH 9225 CARLTON OAKS DR SANTEE 92071    
468110 SANTEE VALLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH 8824 COTTONWOOD AVE SANTEE 92071 Mike Elkins Two precincts in sanctuary, sign-in on altar. Community room unused. Voter Guides (2 types) found in lobby. After complaint, they were removed but the pastor returned them after we left. "This is a church first and a polling place second."
468320 SANTEE 1 ST ASSEMBLY CHURCH 728 PEPPER DR EL CAJON 92021    
471300 EL CAJON EL CAJON FOURSQUARE CHR. "Heartland" CHAPEL 1012 E BRADLEY AVE EL CAJON 92021 Mike Elkins Polls in rear of Sanctuary area.
471500 EL CAJON CHURCH OF NAZARENE-FOYER 1123 N MOLLISON AVE EL CAJON 92021 Mike Elkins  
472500 EL CAJON REFORMATION LUTHERAN CHURCH 1013 BROADWAY EL CAJON 92021 Mike Elkins  
472600 EL CAJON CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 401 BROADWAY EL CAJON 92021 Mike Elkins  
472610 EL CAJON 1 ST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHR RM 205 990 NARANCA AVE EL CAJON 92021    
474310 EL CAJON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HALL 1465 E MADISON AVE EL CAJON 92019 Peter Moore-Kochlacs
474700 EL CAJON ST JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH-FIRESIDE RM 1430 MELODY LN EL CAJON 92019    
474900 EL CAJON SHADOW MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY CHR 2100 GREENFIELD DR EL CAJON 92019 Raymond Lutz  
475600 EL CAJON ST MICHAELS CHALDEAN CHR HALL 799 E WASHINGTON AVE EL CAJON 92020 Raymond Lutz  
475700 EL CAJON CHRIST CHURCH UNITY HALL 311 HIGHLAND AVE EL CAJON 92020    
475910 EL CAJON 1 ST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 772 S JOHNSON AVE EL CAJON 92020    
476100 EL CAJON 1 ST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 772 S JOHNSON AVE EL CAJON 92020    
476700 EL CAJON 1 ST LUTHERAN CHURCH HALL 867 S LINCOLN AVE EL CAJON 92020 Raymond Lutz  
476710 EL CAJON 1 ST LUTHERAN CHURCH HALL 867 S LINCOLN AVE EL CAJON 92020 Raymond Lutz  
477600 EL CAJON EL CAJON WESLEYAN CHR SANCTUARY 1500 E LEXINGTON AVE EL CAJON 92019 Marge Carlson  
477610 EL CAJON EL CAJON WESLEYAN CHR SANCTUARY 1500 E LEXINGTON AVE EL CAJON 92019 Marge Carlson  
479010 BOSTONIA BOSTONIA CHURCH OF CHRIST LOBBY 1244 SUMNER AVE/ENTER OFF CROSBY ST EL CAJON 92021 Marge Carlson  
479090 BOSTONIA BOSTONIA CHURCH OF CHRIST MEETING ROOM 1244 SUMNER AVE EL CAJON 92021 Marge Carlson  
479110 BOSTONIA CHURCH OF NAZARENE-FOYER 1123 N MOLLISON AVE EL CAJON 92021 Marge Carlson  
479120 BOSTONIA EL CAJON FOURSQUARE CHR. CHAPEL 1012 E BRADLEY AVE EL CAJON 92021 Marge Carlson  
481200 LA MESA UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 5940 KELTON AVE LA MESA 91942 Lisa Hamann  
481800 LA MESA SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS LUTHERAN CHR 9191 FLETCHER PKWY LA MESA 91942 Lisa Hamann  
482300 LA MESA JERICHO RD BAPTIST CHURCH 9407 JERICHO RD LA MESA 91942 Lisa Hamann  
482700 LA MESA UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 5940 KELTON AVE LA MESA 91942 Lisa Hamann  
483120 LA MESA LAKE MURRAY ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHR 5480 LAKE MURRAY BLVD LA MESA 91942 Lisa Hamann  
483300 LA MESA DEL CERRO BAPTIST CHURCH 5512 PENNSYLVANIA LN LA MESA 91942 Lisa Hamann  
483600 LA MESA DEL CERRO BAPTIST CHURCH 5512 PENNSYLVANIA LN LA MESA 91942 Lisa Hamann  
483610 LA MESA ST MARTIN OF TOURS CATHOLIC CHURCH 7710 EL CAJON BLVD, BARRY HALL LA MESA 91941 Lisa Hamann  
484800 LA MESA LA MESA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 4426 HARBINSON AVE LA MESA 91941 Lisa Hamann, Josan Feathers  
484900 LA MESA ST MARTIN OF TOURS CATHOLIC CHURCH 7710 EL CAJON BLVD, BARRY HALL LA MESA 91941 Lisa Hamann, Audrey/Bill Pitts  
485000 LA MESA CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH 7929 LA MESA BLVD LA MESA 91941 Lisa Hamann  
485300 LA MESA ST LUKES LUTHERAN CHR CHAPEL 150 WILSON ST LA MESA 91941 Lisa Hamann, Suzy Perkins  
485600 LA MESA ST LUKES LUTHERAN CHR MEETING ROOM 5150 WILSON ST LA MESA 91941 Lisa Hamann  
486000 LA MESA CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHR HALL 8360 LEMON AVE LA MESA 91941 Lisa Hamann  
486500 LA MESA WINDSOR HILL BAPTIST CHR HALL 7485 ORIEN AVE LA MESA 91941 Nancy Goettler In Social Hall. Ok.
487000 LA MESA WINDSOR HILL BAPTIST CHR HALL 7485 ORIEN AVE LA MESA 91941 Nancy Goettler In Social Hall. Ok.
487010 LA MESA VISTA LA MESA CHRISTIAN CHR HALL 4210 MASSACHUSETTS AVE LA MESA 91941 Nancy Goettler In Social Hall. Ok.
487500 LA MESA LA MESA ADVENTIST FAMILY LIFE CTR 4207 SPRING GARDENS RD LA MESA 91941 Karen Otter  
487710 LA MESA LA MESA ADVENTIST FAMILY LIFE CTR 4207 SPRING GARDENS RD LA MESA 91941 Karen Otter  
494110 HELIX FAITH CHAPEL 9400 CAMPO RD SPRING VALLEY 91977 Miriam Raftery  
494500 HELIX FAITH CHAPEL 9400 CAMPO RD SPRING VALLEY 91977 Miriam Raftery  
494990 HELIX CASA DE ORO BAPTIST CHURCH HALL 10195 MADRID WAY SPRING VALLEY 91977 Tiger Lyons  
495210 HELIX CASA DE ORO BAPTIST CHURCH HALL 10195 MADRID WAY SPRING VALLEY 91977 Tiger Lyons  
499210 SPRING VALLEY FRIENDS COMM CHURCH OF SPRING VALLEY 8955 KENWOOD DR SPRING VALLEY 91977 Tiger Lyons  
499400 SPRING VALLEY FRIENDS COMM CHURCH OF SPRING VALLEY 8955 KENWOOD DR SPRING VALLEY 91977 Tiger Lyons  
499410 SPRING VALLEY NEW SEASONS CHURCH HALL 2300 BANCROFT DR SPRING VALLEY 91977 Tiger Lyons  
499600 SPRING VALLEY NEW LIFE BAPTIST CHURCH 9255 LAMAR ST SPRING VALLEY 91977 Tiger Lyons  
499700 SPRING VALLEY NEW LIFE BAPTIST CHURCH 9255 LAMAR ST SPRING VALLEY 91977 Tiger Lyons  
499900 SPRING VALLEY NEW SEASONS CHURCH HALL 2300 BANCROFT DR SPRING VALLEY 91977 Tiger Lyons  
500110 SPRING VALLEY ATONEMENT LUTHERAN CHURCH 10245 LOMA RANCHO DR SPRING VALLEY 91978 Tiger Lyons  
501300 SPRING VALLEY GRACE COVENANT CHURCH 9140 AKARD ST SPRING VALLEY 91977 Tiger Lyons  
501510 SPRING VALLEY CLOUD 9 WORSHIP CENTER 8498 PASEO IGLESIA SPRING VALLEY 91977 Tiger Lyons  
501530 SPRING VALLEY CLOUD 9 WORSHIP CENTER FELLOWSHIP HALL 8498 PASEO IGLESIA SPRING VALLEY 91977 Tiger Lyons  
504500 LEMON GROVE ST JOHNS CATHOLIC CHR AUDITORIUM 8086 BROADWAY LEMON GROVE 91945 Bella Montgomery  
504700 LEMON GROVE LEMON GROVE 1ST BAPT. CHR-SONSHINE HOUSE 2798 OLIVE ST LEMON GROVE 91945 Bella Montgomery  
504710 LEMON GROVE LEMON GROVE CHRISTIAN CHR AUD 6970 SAN MIGUEL AVE LEMON GROVE 91945 Bella Montgomery  
505500 LEMON GROVE LEMON GROVE UNITED METHODIST CHR 3205 WASHINGTON ST LEMON GROVE 91945 Bella Montgomery  
505800 LEMON GROVE LEMON GROVE CHURCH OF CHRIST 2515 LEMON GROVE AVE LEMON GROVE 91945 Bella Montgomery  
506500 LEMON GROVE LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST CHURCH 1345 SKYLINE DR LEMON GROVE 91945 Bella Montgomery  
546500 RAMONA MAIN STREET CHURCH 825 MAIN ST RAMONA 92065 Dave Patterson  
546690 RAMONA GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH 1234 BARGER PL RAMONA 92065 Dave Patterson  
546720 RAMONA GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH 1234 BARGER PL RAMONA 92065 Dave Patterson  
546800 RAMONA FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HALL 404 8TH ST RAMONA 92065 Dave Patterson  
546860 RAMONA RAMONA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 3394 CHAPEL LN RAMONA 92065 Dave Patterson  
546880 RAMONA NEW LIFE ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH 424 S LETTON ST RAMONA 92065 Dave Patterson  
548890 LAKESIDE MAPLEVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH 13176 MAPLEVIEW ST LAKESIDE 92040 Nell Bartusch  
549400 LAKESIDE WESLEYAN CHURCH OF LAKESIDE HALL 9455 LOS COCHES RD LAKESIDE 92040 Nell Bartusch  
554220 ALPINE 1 ST BAPTIST CHURCH OF THE WILLOWS 3520 ALPINE BLVD ALPINE 91901 Bonnie Bekken  
554320 ALPINE QUEEN OF ANGELS CATHOLIC CHURCH 2569 VICTORIA DR ALPINE 91901 Bonnie Bekken  
554490 ALPINE 1ST BAPTIST CHURCH OF THE WILLOWS 3520 ALPINE BLVD ALPINE 91901 Bonnie Bekken  
554600 ALPINE BETHEL ASSEMBLY CHURCH OF GOD 1929 ARNOLD WAY ALPINE 91901 Bonnie Bekken  
554610 ALPINE 1ST BAPT CHR OF ALPINE SANCTUARY 1912 ARNOLD WAY ALPINE 91901 Bonnie Bekken  
554830 ALPINE ALPINE LUTHERAN CHURCH 2040 TAVERN RD ALPINE 91901 Bonnie Bekken  
557460 CREST CREST COMMUNITY CHURCH HALL 2198 SUNCREST BLVD EL CAJON 92021    
558640 VALLE DE ORO ST PETER CHALDEAN CATH CHURCH 1627 JAMACHA WAY EL CAJON 92019 Rosalie Star  
558680 VALLE DE ORO ST PETER CHALDEAN CATH CHURCH 1627 JAMACHA WAY EL CAJON 92019 Rosalie Star  
558720 VALLE DE ORO HILLSIDE CHURCH OF GOD 1101 S MOLLISON AVE, #A EL CAJON 92020 Raymond Lutz Precinct in sanctuary, right up at altar. No change from last year. Anza school has space and is only 1 block away.
558800 VALLE DE ORO HILLSIDE CHURCH OF GOD 1101 S MOLLISON AVE, #A EL CAJON 92020 Raymond Lutz Precinct in rear of church sanctuary.
560000 RANCHO EL CAJON SHADOW MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY CHR 2100 GREENFIELD DR EL CAJON 92019 Raymond Lutz  
562900 JAMUL ST PIUS X CHURCH 14107 LYONS VALLEY RD JAMUL 91935    
562910 JAMUL ST PIUS X CHURCH 14107 LYONS VALLEY RD JAMUL 91935    

In the News:

  • http://mainstreetnewspapers.com/articles/2006/10/26/salem/news/news08.txt - "American Legion voting precinct moves to Bethel Baptist Church" - In the past there was much opposition to using churches as voting places because, as opponents put it, it violated the constitutional principle of separation of church and state. Most of the opposition was from concerned individuals in churches even though there was no evidence of the church being taken over by any level of government or the other way around.
  • http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2006/11/many-will-vote-today-in-church.html - "Churches play an election role" - Rob Boston, assistant director of communications for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said governments should limit the practice.

    "Local governments should realize that not everybody is comfortable voting in churches," he said. "Generally speaking, a community center or a school would be better."

    Because churches are allowed to weigh in on ballot initiatives, he said, it is important to ensure that any literature related to their positions be removed before Election Day.

    State law prohibits campaigning or distributing political pamphlets within 100 feet of a polling place on Election Day.

-- Raymond Lutz - 04 Oct 2006
I Attachment Action Size Date Who Comment
Letter_To_Registar_of_Voters_re_polling_in_churches.rtfrtf Letter_To_Registar_of_Voters_re_polling_in_churches.rtf manage 475 K 26 Jun 2014 - 21:22 Raymond Lutz Requests list of polling places in churches, requests no more polling in churches, requests followup on Christian Examiner Newspaper.
RoV_Response_10-23-06.pdfpdf RoV_Response_10-23-06.pdf manage 1005 K 26 Jun 2014 - 21:22 Raymond Lutz Response from Registrar of Voters 10-23-06
combinedlist.xlsxls combinedlist.xls manage 98 K 26 Jun 2014 - 21:22 Raymond Lutz All polling places in Churches in San Diego County
Topic revision: r17 - 11 Mar 2015, RaymondLutz
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