Rebecca, Liz, Monica, and Alison discuss the ways in which the separation of church and state surfaces during election season. They’ll break down the Johnson Amendment, the rules and restrictions churches must adhere to in order to be tax-exempt, and then explore the unique complaints they receive involving voting in churches.

FFRF, AHA, and American Atheists (like churches!) are 501(c)(3) organizations and therefore do not endorse or oppose candidates for public office.

Background

• The Texas Tribune and Propublica (2022) - “Churches are breaking the law and endorsing in elections, experts say. The IRS looks the other way.”
• FFRF - “The Case in Support of the Johnson Amendment”
• FFRF - “Church Polling Places” 
• MTSU - “History of the Johnson Amendment”
• IRS - The Restriction of Political Campaign Intervention by Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations
• FFRF - “Pulpit Freedom Sunday” 
• AHA (2019) - “Organizations to Congress: Protect the Johnson Amendment”
• AA - “Churches as Polling Places”
• Washington Post (2016) - “Florida Mosque Removed as Polling Place after Complaints, Threats”
• The Humanist (2018) - “On the Hill: How Arcane Senate Rules Saved the Johnson Amendment (For Now)”
• Humanists International (2007) - “U.S. District Court allows voting in churches”
• Newsweek (2022) - “Idaho Church Under Fire for Hosting GOP Rally Ahead of Midterms”

Cases

• Berman v. Board of Elections (1969)
• Otero v. State Election Board of Oklahoma (1992)
• FFRF v. Trump (2017)

 

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Our website, we-dissent.org, has more information as well as episode transcripts.