Humanist loses suit over polling site

A Florida judge this week ruled against a Humanist who said his constitutional rights were violated when he had to vote in a Catholic church adorned with religious icons and anti-abortion posters.

Jerry Rabinowitz said he felt uncomfortable when he entered a polling place decorated with various crucifixes, a sign that read “Each of us matters to God” and a pro-life banner.

In the court decision, the judge noted that the Palm Beach County elections supervisor did not personally place the banners or crucifixes and thus was not guilty of excessive government entanglement with religion.

Had the suit succeeded, it would have challenged the use of any churches as polling places. Currently churches are the most common polling sites in the country.

The American Humanist Association said it was “saddened” by Tuesday’s decision, claiming it contradicted “overwhelming evidence” in a recent Stanford University study that “environmental cues” in a polling place have a measurable effect on the voting decision.

“Such a religiously charged environment can serve to intimidate or unduly influence a person’s vote,” said AHA President Mel Lipman.