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Pastor says St. John Lutheran removed as Ashwaubenon polling place after sign dispute; pastor and parishioners describe decision as punitive
Summary
Pastor Josh Heitel told trustees that St. John Lutheran Church was informed it would no longer serve as a polling place after a digital sign graphic with a rainbow heart drew complaints; church leaders maintain the image was nonpartisan and said the change reduces accessible polling capacity.
Pastor Josh Heitel told the Village Board of Ashwaubenon on Feb. 25 that St. John Lutheran Church was removed as a village polling place after village staff questioned a digital marquee image that depicted a rainbow with a white heart and the word "love." He said the congregation did not display a pride flag from a pole and that the graphic was intended as a non‑partisan message of welcome.
Heitel said he spoke with the village attorney on Election Day 2024 and, although he disagreed that the sign was political, he turned off the graphic after the attorney expressed concern. One week later, he said village Clerk Chris Teske called to notify him that St. John would no longer be a polling location. Heitel told trustees he believes the decision was linked to the sign though the clerk did not explicitly state that rationale.
"We will not darken one pixel of our rainbow. Not one," Heitel said during public comment, describing the image as an expression of the church’s mission to welcome all people. Fellow parishioner Clyde Thidi said the congregation had served as a polling place for about 10 years and considered the change to be an "insult" to the church’s community outreach.
Clerks’ offices typically select polling places based on accessibility, space and operational logistics; Pastor Heitel said the church's lot and building are often full for general elections and that moving voters to the community center would strain capacity. The board did not take formal action during public comment and made no immediate statement about the clerk’s decision.
Why it matters: removal of a long‑standing polling place raises questions about equal access and the reasons for site changes. The pastor framed the incident as a consequence of a message of welcome rather than partisan advocacy; village staff did not provide a public explanation during the meeting.
No ordinance or appeal was recorded at the Feb. 25 meeting; clergy and parishioners said they remain open to partnership but want clarity on why the location was removed.
