San Antonio Megachurch Hosts GOP Leaders Day Before Becoming Polling Site

Cornerstone Church in San Antonio hosted Texas Republicans Ken Paxton, Dan Patrick and Donna Campbell during a Sunday service the day before it opened as a Bexar County early-voting site. Pastor Matt Hagee praised the politicians’ advocacy for “faith and family values,” promoted voting at the church and dismissed concerns that the arrangement was controversial. Two members of the county’s voter advisory committee objected, arguing that a polling place should make voters feel welcome and treated equally regardless of their political or religious beliefs. A political science expert said a partisan speaker at a church service the day before it serves as a polling place is not necessarily illegal, provided election-site rules are followed; questions remain about whether the church should continue as a voting location.