New York Rejects Church As Polling Place After Orthodox Jewish Objection

According to a JTA report this week, New York City election officials have changed their mind about permanently moving the polling location for New York's 73rd and 74th election districts from a public school to St. Agatha's Catholic Church in Brooklyn. Officials have been concerned that the public school site is too small. The decision to reject St. Agatha's came after Assemblyman Dov Hikind, an Orthodox Jew, intervened, complaining that many Orthodox Jews would not vote at the church that featured large crosses inside and outside. Officials are looking for a new site. Meanwhile, apparently voting in an upcoming primary for Civil Court Judge will still be held at St. Agatha's, but individuals may instead vote at the Brooklyn Board of Elections by checking "Religious Scruples" on their ballot application. [Thanks to Joel Alan Katz (Relig. & State In Israel) for the lead.]