Two Texas churches that also serve as official polling places have become the focus of political disputes as early voting began this week, one in San Antonio and one in Dallas.
In San Antonio, Republican U.S. Senate nominee Ken Paxton attended a Sunday service at Cornerstone Church, where he and fellow Republican candidates Dan Patrick and Donna Campbell were acknowledged by the pastor during worship. Paxton later thanked Pastor John Hagee, Pastor Matt Hagee and the Cornerstone congregation on social media for the welcome. None of the candidates addressed the congregation or campaigned during the service.
During the service, the pastor also reminded attendees that early voting in Texas began Monday and that the Cornerstone building would be used as a polling location.
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, a Democrat running for governor, criticized the appearance on social media, tagging state Rep. James Talarico. “Hey, James Talarico, it looks like they’re recognizing U.S. Senate candidates at Cornerstone Church during their services here in San Antonio,” she wrote. “And, as a *polling site*, they’re very helpfully reminding folks that Early Voting starts tomorrow. Could be a good stop next Sunday!” Following the comments, some voting rights advocates have called for Bexar County to stop using Cornerstone as a polling site, according to news reports.
A Parallel Dispute in Dallas
In Dallas County, a different church-and-politics arrangement has drawn criticism. Friendship-West Baptist Church is an official Dallas County polling location, and its senior pastor, Frederick Douglass Haynes III, has led the congregation since 1983. Haynes is also the Democratic nominee for Texas’ 30th Congressional District, seeking to succeed Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
That means voters casting ballots at Friendship-West this election will be voting in a congressional race that includes their polling site’s own pastor on the ballot.
Republican candidate Everett Jackson, Haynes’ opponent in the race, held a protest outside the church last week and is calling on Dallas County to remove it as a polling location while Haynes is a candidate. “How can you be on the ballot and the church that you reside over is a polling site with your name on that ballot?” Jackson said.
Friendship-West has taken public stances on political issues during Haynes’ tenure, including flying a Black Lives Matter flag in recent years.
There is no indication that either church’s polling designation violates election law. Early voting in Texas runs through October 30.
