May 5th is Primary Election Day in Indiana.
One of the very first items to which we, as poll
workers, attend is the taking of the poll worker oath.
The very first and foremost item (of eleven) of the
oath is the following:
“I will support the Constitution of the United States
and the Constitution of the State of Indiana.”
I am hoping everyone who decides to be a poll worker takes
their oath seriously.
A couple of interesting Constitutional provisions, one
from the United States Constitution and one from the Indiana Constitution…
United States: Article VI Clause 3 last sentence…
“ but no religious Test shall ever be required as
a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”
Which is notably similar to a provision within the
Indiana State Constitution:
Article 1
Section 5. ”No religious test shall be required, as a
qualification for any office of trust or profit.”
Section 4 is quite compelling also…
“ No preference shall be given, by law, to any creed,
religious society, or mode of worship; and no person shall be compelled to
attend, erect, or support, any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry,
against his consent.” (History: As Amended November 6, 1984).
Just remember, if a poll worker, you will be taking an
oath to support those Constitutional provisions.
Personal integrity matters.
