Religious Schools not suitable as Polling Stations

[Samell]

There aren't hotels and post offices for every community, but every community has a school central to them, which makes schools ideal as a polling station.

Most of them have a pub too, free vodka with every vote!

[whooley]

Complete bollix. The research took place in England.

The research took place partly in London, partly in Maastricht.
In London, some people were surveyed on the street outside the houses of parliament, while others were surveyed down the road outside Westminster Abbey. The research argument is based on a variance in survey answers given outside the Abbey as opposed to the parliament. The same secular versus religious setting was used in Maastricht. I too would be sceptical as to its worth.

[Mountaintop]

......... free vodka with every vote!

....yet another reason why I should be entitled to vote more than once!

[walrusgumble]

Religious Schools not suitable as Polling Stations.

Our State has been very reliant on using Schools as Polling Stations. At some stage we are likely to have a referendum on abortion which is just one issue in which the type and location of polling stations could influence the outcome of a vote.

I have seen in local elections how some candidates use emotive issues to stoke support with conservative elements of the electorate even though Loal authorities have very little to do with Pro Life/ Pro Choice issues.

In the same way candidates of minorty religions and no religion are disadvantaged by the practice of holding polls in religious ethos schools which have much catholic iconography.

Polling station locations may influence voters, research suggests - Telegraph

Sweet Jesus.

In case that you have not notice two (or three?) referendums have been held on abortion and 2 on divorce ( one, which won by a margin, but still won. I would imagine the margin would be bigger if held now, and would not be surprised if a referendum was successful in reducing the waiting period of 4 years to 2 years). The Priests, nuns and holy joe's are no where to be seen. It's just you and the poll box.

If you believe that their will be electoral fraud (which has NEVER being seriously raised as an allegation before) I am sure that you would be free to stay in the centers all day, challenge it in court even.

If a location of voting will influence how you decide to vote, then you are an idiot whose vote should be taken off you. What age are you by the way? (as you seem to have forgotten the last elections, where the emotive debate, some of which are honestly held views, was battered out long before people went to the polls) Not all in the anti abortion crowd turn to the bible to make their views heard - it is an issue that is far more important than religion

You said
"I have seen in local elections how some candidates use emotive issues to stoke support with conservative elements of the electorate even though Loal authorities have very little to do with Pro Life/ Pro Choice issues."

How the hell has that got to do with the use of a school for voting? There are laws on canvassing within the vicinity of areas. Voting could take place in a car park or city hall, it will not affect candidates in their use of emotive issues in debates. The very same crap could occur in City halls etc.


Be honest, your anti Religion and Anti Church. That is your true agenda. You are also extremely dishonest

But fair play to you, you did not carry out the pretense of using a very credible argument that children should not be loosing school days due to the election (a good reason to only have town halls / City hall and community halls as the proper location) or as others fairly put it, some schools are not well suited structurally to deal with disabilities etc


I never knew that the power of a crucifix in a classroom (regardless of what branch of Christianity you are) or a big statue in the main lobby or car park could have such a huge effect like Pat McCabe's book, the Butcher Boy, as adopted on Film by Neil Jordan

In case that you have not noticed, the schools have been a convince for the public. In some areas, other public meetings have been held in schools (if not in the pub). Some villages, the school is the only suitable location. So you want people to have to travel an extra 5-20km just to vote, in order to satisfy a minority or non existent minority (in that town) who are nose out of joint of a room full of a few relics (which should be removed anyway)?

[walrusgumble]

Some Jewish people might have a difficulty with voting on Saturday.That would not trouble you would it?

And their population is what?

I would imagine some Jews, despite everything, have to work at the Weekend, not all have nice 9-5 5 day a week jobs.

So you are saying that a Jew does absolutely nothing for the whole 48 hours on the weekend? Not even go down to their Kosher (i hope I am spelling that correctly) to buy their goods? Voting takes 5 minutes, maybe 20 if you bump into a friend or two.

[Itjustme:D]

I understand the point at which you are coming from Luachara, but I personally believe that the location in which the polling station is stationed will not affect the decision of the voter. If one is sure on the choice they shall make, their decision shouldn't be changed, simply because of the surrounding.

[Yongwang]

I agree with you on this, we shouldn't use religious schools as polling stations, not only does this create a bias, but it also discourages non-Christians voters from voting.

[OrdoVeritas]

Would you use a School as a polling Station for an abortion referendum, that might also be used for the catholic community to attend Mass?

Lets not forget - Children go to school and abortion kills children - you're right the abortion referendum should be held in a Butchers!!

[OrdoVeritas]

I agree with you on this, we shouldn't use religious schools as polling stations, not only does this create a bias, but it also discourages non-Christians voters from voting.

You're absolutely right - I remember once, a non-Christian was knocked down because they could not for the life of them obey the 'Green Cross Code' - I blame the cross.

It is the sense of being a minority that ensures that people vote - and yes, non-Christians are (for now) a minority.

[DuineEile]

Snap actually (as Hugh Grant would probably say)

Interesting. Nothing wrong with it. Just don't lecture people about understanding the issues before you vote (I am not saying you do lecture people).

D