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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 08081995 - PC2 t, _y PC.2 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA DATE: August 8, 1995 PUBLIC COMMENT At the August 8, 1995, Board of Supervisors meeting, Burt Bogardus and Alene Harper spoke in opposition to the use of a church or other religious type building as a polling place in an election. Alene Harper presented a petition for neutral polling places and a Polling Places Resolution. THIS IS A MATTER FOR RECORD PURPOSES ONLY NO BOARD ACTION TAKEN REQUEST To SPEAK FORM (THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT) Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers* r m, before addressing the Bo d. PHONE: 6J NA,mE: ADDRESS: L2�3 CITY: I am speaking formyself OR organization: !IJXA (NA�MEEF ORGANIZATION) Check one: I wish to speak on Agenda Item # My comments will be: general for against I wish to speak on the subject of I do not wish to speak but leave these comments for the Board to consider. DATE: REQLMST To SPEAK FoRM (THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT) /4 ) Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum before addressing the Board. NAIM E:4l//��®G��Y�ys PHONE:�Jr/0� 4—&/--; -z,. loe ADDRESS: /_LY ®X z�� CITY: �4/l�/�/ I am speaking formyself OR organization: v X�;,W A 5� ChNAME F ORGANI7_NTIOX) Check e: I wish to speak on Agenda Item # _� �,� C My comments will be: general for against I wish to speak on the subject of ��Dy>' Pv7/R� I do not wish to speak but leave these comments for the Board to consider. DATE: REQUEST TO SPEAK FORM (THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT) �p Complete this 'form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum before address' the Board. NAME: PROVE:/I ADDRESS: CITY: I am speaking formyself OR organization: C Check one: (NAME OF ORGAWI7.kTIOX) I wish to speak on Agenda Item # My comments will be: general for against I wish to speak on the,subject of Lizz& e,�� I do not ' h o speak but leave these comments for the Board to consider. PETITION FOR NEUTRAL POLLING PLACES It is inappropriate and unlawful for political candidates to use their headquarters as polling places. Churches are being used as headquarters for distributing their voter guides, endorsing candidates as well as taking sides in politically controversial issues. Churches are not politically neutral territories. Unfortunately, Contra Costa County has been violating the separation of church and state every time a polling place is located in a church or church inst' -OD`dlsoo da1NOD SUOSIAa3ans�o(38VO13)1x313 THEREFORE 56618 We, the undersigned, petition the Board of Supervisors of C ntra Costal- t instruct the County Clerk to discontinue the use of churches and other gious institutions as polling places. suk4l ✓,*d PRINT NAME ogd ADDY70--Y33-i-'�� _ RITE NA RESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER 2. 91 ,(- e1'` 11; Us PRINT NAM v7VIRITE MW ADDRESS ZIP PfiONE NUMBER 3 . , — PETITION FOR NEUTRAL POLLING PLACES W- I't is inappropriate and unlawful for political candidates to use their headquarters as polling places. Churches are being used as headquarters for distributing their voter guides, endorsing candidates as well as taking sides in politically controversial issues. Churches are not politically neutral territories. Unfortunately, Contra Costa County has been violating the separation of church and state every time a polling place is located in a church or church institution. RECEIVED THEREFORE AUG 8 '9` 5' We, the undersigned, petition the Board of Supervisors of Cont �CX'Sqh% ruct the County Clerk to discontinue the use of churches and other reli-g- ns I u Ions as polling places. . WAYNE DANIEL 1073 HILLENDALE COURT PR NT NAME WALNUT CREEK,CALIFORNIA 94596 r w R E NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER 2 . -�? �e- ti P T NAME WRITE NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER n PETITION FOR NEUTRAL POLLING PLACES It is' inappropriate and unlawful for political candidates to use their headquarters as polling` places. Churches are being used as headquarters for distributing their voter guides, endorsing candidates as well as taking sides in politically controversial issues. Churches are not politically neutral territories. Unfortunately, Contra Costa County has been violating the separation of church and state every time a polling place is located in a church or church institution. THEREFORE We, the undersigned, petition the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County to instruct the County Clerk to discontinue the use of churches and other religious institutions as polling places... 1 . d PRINT--'NAME yg:��r�zzdoS lo / ITE NAME ADDRE&� tZ IP� � 4 5Z ' PONE NUMBER 2 . 1� N ME Cq Ucr� iRITE NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER 3. O�AbO d- 6L1 W- P TNME WRI NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER PETITION FOR NEUTRAL POLLING PLACES It is inappropriate and unlawful for political candidates to use their headquarters as polling places. Churches are being used as headquarters for distributing their voter guides, endorsing candidates as well as taking sides in politically controversial issues. Churches are not politically neutral territories. Unfortunately, Contra Costa County has been violating the separation of church and state every time a polling place is located in a church or church institution. THEREFORE We, the undersigned, petition the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County to instruct the County Clerk to discontinue the use of churches and other religious institutions as polling places. PRINT NAME q R Tt NAME ! / ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER 2 . ��( C l /kola 65 NT NAME RITE NAME < ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER PRINT NAME `WR TE NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER PRINT AME 17 RTE NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER PETITION I FOR NEUTRAL POLLING PLACES It is inappropriate and unlawful for political candidates to use their headquarters as polling places. Churches are being used as headquarters for distributing their voter guides, endorsing candidates as well as taking sides in politically controversial issues. Churches are not politically neutral territories. Unfortunately, Contra Costa County has been violating the separation of church and state every time a polling place is located in a church or church institution. THEREFORE We, the undersigned, petition the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County to instruct the County Clerk to discontinue the use of churches and other religious institutions as polling places. PRINT NAME 7,- VR- IT8 NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER 2. PRINT NAME PETITION FOR NEUTRAL POLLING PLACES It is inappropriate and unlawful for political candidates to use their headquarters as polling places. Churches are being used as headquarters for distributing their voter guides, endorsing candidates as well as taking sides in politically controversial issues. Churches are not politically neutral territories. Unfortunately, Contra Costa County has been violating the separation of church and state every time a polling place is Iccated in a church or ch;arch in sritution. THEREFORE We, the undersigned, petition the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County to instruct the County Clerk to discontinue the use of churches and other religious institutions as polling places. 1 . Z L r�o� PRINT NAM - �--- (3 G� Ci �(S Z� 3;7 WRI NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER 2 . PRINT NAME PETITION FOR NEUTRAL POLLING PLACES It is•inappropriate and unlawful for political candidates to use their headquarters as polling places. Churches are being used as headquarters for distributing their voter guides, endorsing candidates as well as taking sides in politically controversial issues. _Churches are not politically neutral territories. Unfortunately, Contra Costa County has been violating the separation of church and state every time a polling place is located in a church or church institution. THEREFORE We, the undersigned, petition the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County to instruct the County Clerk to discontinue the use of churches and other religious institutions as polling places. PRINT NAME WRIT AT ADDRESS ZIP �` � PHONE NUMBER 2 . PRINT NAME PETITION FOR NEUTRAL POLLING PLACES It is .inappropriate and unlawful for political candidates to use their headquarters as polling places. Churches are being used as headquarters for distributing their voter guides, endorsing candidates as well as taking sides in politically controversial issues. Churches are not politically neutral territories. Unfortunately, Contra Costa County has been violating the separation of church and state every time a polling place is located in a church or church institution. THEREFORE We, the undersigned, petition the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County to instruct the County Clerk to discontinue the use of churches and other religious institutions as polling places. 1 .Li e- 740-r- 75-7-,3 Z PRINT NAME Lv0At"74-5� rat- sb 9 WRITE NAME ADDRESS ZIP 1 PHONE NUMBER 2. NFZ PRINT NAME ?�^7- 3 9 WRITE NAME ADDRESS ZIPS'o �� PHONE NUMBER 3 . PRINT NAME WRITE NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER 4 . — --_ --- - --- - - - i PETITION FOR NEUTRAL POLLING PLACES , It is inappropriate and unlawful for political candidates to use their headquarters as polling places. Churches are being used as headquarters for distributing their voter guides, endorsing candidates as well as taking sides in politically controversial issues. Churches are not politically neutral territories. Unfortunately, Contra Costa County has been violating the separation of church and state every time a polling place is located in a church or church institution. THEREFORE We, the undersigned, petition the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County to instruct the County Clerk to discontinue the use of churches and other religious institutions as polling places. PRINT NAM J cif r7oAI-r f 7 L./�� WRITE NAME JADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER 4;�e'l2 . MAA PRINZ ME �!Y�- 06-p'ad' RITE NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER 3 . PRINT NAME WRITE NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER PETITION FOR NEUTRAL POLLING PLACES It is inappropriate and unlawful for political candidates to use their headquarters as polling places. Churches are being used as headquarters for distributing their voter guides, endorsing candidates as well as taking sides in politically controversial issues. Churches are not politically neutral territories. Unfortunately, Contra Costa County has been violating the separation of church and state every time a polling place is located in a church or church institution. THEREFORE We, the undersigned, petition the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County to instruct the County Clerk to discontinue the use of churches and other religious institutions as polling places. 1 , �AVOAtIJi' �c.w.�.t �� mor✓ PRINT NAME ' a'-v� �.�z( /d o L/4L N C- 4S 7-04C /e �u c q Ys 9,s' J 3 WRITE NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER 2 . C u�c�von 9T NA 4FMENA-ME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER 3 . PRINT NAME PETITION FOR NEUTRAL POLLING PLACES , v It is inappropriate and unlawful for political candidates to use their headquarters as polling places. Churches are being used as headquarters for distributing their voter guides, endorsing candidates as well as taking sides in politically controversial issues. Churches are not politically neutral territories. Unfortunately, Contra Costa County has been violating the separation of church and state every time a polling place is located in a church or church institution. THEREFORE We, the undersigned, petition the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County to instruct the County Clerk to discontinue the use of churches and other religious institutions as polling places. 1 • � Hh lt�L PRINT XAME /,2,2 02� 1S�s�1� �✓�-7- - .sem WRIT 1 NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER 2 . kN LM pR N ME 22 C C SS -93j-- C- J'S WRITE NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER 3 . PRINT NAME PETITION FOR NEUTRAL POLLING PLACES It is,inappropriate and unlawful for political candidates to use their headquarters as polling places. Churches are being used as headquarters for distributing their voter guides, endorsing candidates as well as taking sides in politically controversial issues. Churches are not politically neutral territories. Unfortunately, Contra Costa County has been violating the separation of church and state every time a polling place is located in a church or church institution. THEREFORE We, the undersigned, petition the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County to instruct the County Clerk to discontinue the use of churches and other religious institutions as polling places.. jj 1 . LeVI ►fie PRI T NAME z I-00 .9-A-4 Mi4t ' WRITE NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER' 2 ._ Idles y ,fie PRINT NAME , )�✓ �G ✓" - (R7ATTL 1T lE ADLtTCESS Zir PHONE NUMBER 3 . LL U G H U -`'L E-_ _ INT NAMEV i W ITE NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER 4 . z?R PRINT 9�S^�S- �- �a � Z 7 73 WRITE NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER PRINT=NAME._ 00 C4wgV 9 ITE NAME ADDRESS V ZIP PHONE NUMBER 6 PRINT NAME �RR--ITE NAME ADDRES ZIP PHONE NUMBER PRI NT_=NAME. WRITE NAME ADDRESS ZIP PHONE NUMBER RECEIVED STATEIvENT TO THE COV TRA COSTA C0'NTY BOARD OF ST?FERVI OR 'AUG 8 1995 August 8, 1995 CLERK BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONTRA COSTA CO. The members of the Community Political Watch view with increasing concern the excessive intrusion of religion into government. 'Pie oppose the recitation of religious prayers at government functions. We oppose the payment of h1indreels of thousands of taxpayers' dollars to religious ministers for religious services in county facilities. And we strongly oppose the use of religious churc!7es as voting locations. Ne voters have the right to expect our polling places to exhibit an atmos- phere of neutrality. That is why polling places are protected by law from activities such as political advocacy and solicitation of donations. Churches, by their very nature, are not and cannot be places of neutrality. Any designated polling place, St. Timothy' s Episcopal Church in Danville, is a prime example of what I am talking about. The flag of the Anglican church flies side by side with the stars and stripes. For anyone concerned about church- state separation, the symbolism is distressing. Upon entering, voters are con- fronted by a large rack of religious literature and a donation box with a sign requesting money. The walls are covered with artwork depicting Jesus, crosses, biblical quotations and other religious imagery. As a='3gon=0hrIstianT-rInfind this environment totally inappropriate in which to exercise my right to vote. Pie urge you, our elected County Supervisors, to take whatever actions necessary to insure neutral polling places for all citizens. Burt Bogardus P. 0. Box 293 Danville, CA 94526 (510) 820-2347 Supervisors.' -Meeting August 8, 1995 COMMUNITY POLITICAL WATCH members request that Political Polling Booths be in neutal locations and 300 feet from any political symbol or emblem. Private homes are acceptable - better yet are Public Schools . Public Schools are located in every neighborhood. Using a class room, gymnasium or even the hall way as a location for polling booths , offers an excellent opportunity for teachers to explain and expose the students to the voting process . Please read the attached "Polling Places Resolution" and give_-- this matter your consideration before the Nov. 1996 important election year. Thank you for listening. Allene Harper of COMMUNITY POLITICAL WATCH P.O. Box 5743 Concord, Calif. phone # 827-2512 94524 RESOLUTIONAGAINSTRELIGIOUS POLLING PLACES WHEREAS, Voting is a hallmark of democracy; WHEREAS, There can be no activity more civic or secular than voting; WHEREAS, We live in a nation predicated on a secular constitution and the absolute separation of church and state; WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom that no citizen "shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship,place or ministry whatsoever;" WHEREAS, Jefferson's Statute for Religious Freedom has been replicated in many of the constitutions of our 50 states, enjoining governments from forcing citizens to attend a place of worship; WHEREAS, Local governments around the nation increasingly are violating the separation of church and state by designating churches as polling places, singling out particular denominations and congregations in the community for this distinction entailing government and media publicity, and all the attending benefits of having a captive audience attend a church to vote; WHEREAS, In many states and communities, polling places receive compensation from the public coffers; WHEREAS, Churches are now routinely intruding in political elections, including but not limited to endorsing candidates from the pulpit, distributing voting guides from the Christian Coalition and other right-wing Christian groups, and promoting political .agendas, even proposing and working on referenda on such issues as abortion, gay rights and the right-to-die; WHEREAS, Many polling places are chosen by local politicians, raising the spectre of politicians choosing their own churches as polling places, with all the incumbent conflicts of interest; WHEREAS, The cross is increasingly a symbol of political intimidation; WHEREAS, Voting in a church or other religious institution inevitably raises profound political conflicts of interest; WHEREAS, One of the most common complaints heard at the offices of the Freedom From Religion Foundation from its members around the nation is about being compelled to vote in churches and religious institutions; THEREFORE, BE Ir RESOLVED, that we, the members of the Board of Directors of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, representing 3,300 members around the country, and at least 20 million American freethinkers, hereby urge that no churches or religious institutions be designated as polling places.