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Election Day: Guns, Mummers, and ballots

A rod-and-gun club, a theater, a gas station, a beauty salon, a restaurant, a funeral home, a neighbor's garage, the Mummers Museum.

Voters can't be counted on to deliver a cash bonanza to a business that hosts a polling place, said Frank Schiavo, owner of A & G Music Center, an Upper Darby polling venue.
Voters can't be counted on to deliver a cash bonanza to a business that hosts a polling place, said Frank Schiavo, owner of A & G Music Center, an Upper Darby polling venue.Read moreMARI A. SCHAEFER / Staff

A rod-and-gun club, a theater, a gas station, a beauty salon, a restaurant, a funeral home, a neighbor's garage, the Mummers Museum.

On Tuesday, they will be enlisted in the democratic process as polling stations.

Most area voters will troop off to the nearest school, firehouse, or municipal building to cast ballots. That won't be the case in South Philly's Ward 2, Division 1.

"Here, they come into a Philadelphia tradition," said Eileen Garbarino, the Mummers Museum manager.

In addition to choosing the next mayor, voters there can check out the latest exhibits, listen to piped-in string-band music, and enjoy refreshments. "It's just a little extra thing we do - coffee and hot chocolate," Garbarino said.

In Milford Township, Bucks County, residents will cast ballots at the Mumbauersville Rod and Gun Club. Bill Heffentrager, vice president of the 600-member club, said that as far as he knows, voters have been going there since the 1930s.

"Of course, there is no shooting the day of elections," said Heffentrager. "There is no beer, there is no shooting."

Those quirky polling locations may have charming qualities, but David B. Thornburgh, president of the Committee of Seventy, wonders if they are good for the democratic process. He said such places might have an insider feel that could turn off prospective voters.

"You don't want to feel like you need a special key," Thornburgh said.

Considering abysmal turnout percentages - especially for younger voters - no discouragements are needed. Only about 25 percent of the state's eligible voters cast ballots in the 2011 elections.

He said it might be better to have fewer polling places that are more conveniently located or consider voting by mail like Oregon, Washington, and Colorado.

The state does not keep track of unconventional locations said Wanda Murren, press secretary for the Department of State.

But it does insist that polling locations are accessible, and are located within the election district or in an adjacent district. If private residence is used, it can't be outside the district or owned by a party official, candidate, or elected official.

And, yes, alcohol would be prohibited on the premises.

Counties can pay the owners "rent," but sums are modest. In Delaware County, the reimbursement is $70, and in Philadelphia it is $95.

The hosts say it's more about the community - and maybe a little self-promotion.

"It can bring people to the business," said Minh Nguyen, 41, owner of Minh's Expert Auto in Upper Darby Township. Nguyen turns over his small front office - complete with large tropical fish tank - and parking lot to the poll workers. "It doesn't hurt anything."

Voters can't be counted on to deliver a cash bonanza, said Frank Schiavo, owner of A & G Music Center, another Upper Darby polling venue. They are usually on a mission: Get there, vote and get out. Most won't stick around to buy anything, he said.

Marvil Funeral Home in Darby Borough has acted as a polling location for 40 years, so funeral director Chuck Marvil is sure he has helped bury people who had cast votes there. "All of our neighbors vote here," he said.

Still, the location - with a six-car garage and a large parking lot - is ideal, he said.

At a Norwood Borough garage, Election Day is more of a celebration.

"It is kind of like a big party," said Gary Quinn, 73, who, along with his wife, Carol, began offering their two-car garage four years ago, after the neighbors who used to provide the polling location moved away.

"It is the two times a year I get my garage cleaned," joked Carol Quinn, 71, who is making a "big pot of vegetable beef soup" for the occasion.

In the spring primary, they set up a table, chairs, and umbrella for those neighbors who prefer to hang around and catch up with friends after voting.

Said Carol Quinn: "This year we are trying to figure out how to get a fire pit."

mschaefer@phillynews.com

610-313-8111

@MariSchaefer