Arizona Faith Leaders Call for a Faithful and Peaceful 2026 Election

Arizona faith leaders from across Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions have joined in issuing A Shared Call from Arizona Faith Leaders for a Faithful and Peaceful 2026 Election—a public commitment to participation, truth, human dignity and peace before, during and after Election Day.

The statement was coordinated by Arizona Faith Network and signed by bishops and judicatory leaders representing faith communities throughout the state, including Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer of the Grand Canyon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The signatories do not claim that people of faith will agree politically or vote the same way. Instead, they begin with a conviction shared across their traditions: every person possesses inherent dignity, and all of us bear responsibility for the well-being of our neighbors and communities.

Participate thoughtfully and faithfully

The statement describes voting as one important way people show up for their neighbors and help shape their shared communities. It encourages every eligible voter to participate thoughtfully, guided by conscience, careful study and concern for people who are vulnerable, marginalized or too often unheard.

It also recognizes that civic participation extends beyond the ballot. People who are not eligible to vote can still learn about public issues, help neighbors participate, volunteer, encourage peaceful engagement and strengthen community life.

For congregations, this means voter engagement should not become partisan pressure or an expectation of political uniformity. Faithful people will reach different conclusions. Our shared responsibility is to help people participate freely and conscientiously while keeping the well-being of our neighbors before us.

Protect voters and election workers

Every eligible voter should be able to participate safely and without intimidation, discrimination or fear. Election workers, volunteers, public servants and voters are not political abstractions; they are our neighbors and deserve gratitude, respect and protection.

The statement calls on candidates, campaigns, public officials, civic organizations, news media and community leaders to reject threats, harassment, intimidation, dehumanizing rhetoric and violence—regardless of their source, target or stated purpose.

Congregations can support this commitment by sharing reliable voting information, thanking election workers, learning how to report voter intimidation and offering a calm, welcoming presence in their communities. Churches that serve as polling locations should review their safety procedures and clarify responsibilities with local election officials before Election Day.

Seek truth and practice patience

False information and unverified rumors can spread fear, discourage voting and weaken public trust. The faith leaders urge Arizonans to rely on responsible election officials and other credible sources, verify information before sharing it and correct mistakes openly.

They also remind voters that election-night reports and media projections are not certified results. Counting, canvassing, auditing, possible recounts and certification take time. Questions and legal challenges should be addressed through lawful procedures—not threats, coercion or interference.

Faith communities can serve as trusted messengers by communicating carefully, naming their sources and being willing to say, “We do not yet know,” when facts remain incomplete.

Be peacemakers without becoming passive

The statement makes an important distinction: peace is more than the absence of physical violence, and peacemaking is not silence when people are threatened.

Faithful peacemaking means speaking truth without dehumanizing others, protecting vulnerable neighbors, listening before assuming the worst and choosing responsible action rather than retaliation. It also means rejecting attempts to use religion to justify political violence, confer divine authority upon a candidate or party, or portray political opponents as enemies whose dignity no longer matters.

Faith communities are called to lower the temperature without lowering their commitment to truth, justice and protection of their neighbors.

Continue the work after Election Day

Perhaps the statement’s most important reminder is that when the election is over, we will still be neighbors.

Whatever results emerge from lawful election processes, Arizonans will continue to worship, work, learn, serve, raise families and care for people in need alongside others who may have voted differently. Our responsibilities do not end when ballots are counted.

The signers commit themselves—and invite our communities—to continue protecting human dignity, standing with people who are vulnerable or marginalized, repairing harm and working for the common good across political differences.

Congregations can put the statement into practice by:

• Encouraging informed, peaceful and nonpartisan participation.

• Sharing accurate information from trustworthy sources.

• Resisting rumors, misinformation and dehumanizing speech.

• Praying for voters, election workers, public servants and candidates.

• Standing alongside people facing intimidation, discrimination or threats.

• Providing spaces for prayer, listening, dialogue and healing.

• Rejecting political violence before, during and after the election.

• Continuing advocacy and service when the election season has passed.

May our faith be greater than our fear. May our love of neighbor be stronger than our divisions. And may we remember, before Election Day, on Election Day and long afterward: We are bound to one another.

SIGNATORIES
The following bishops, judicatory heads, and faith leaders join together in affirming this statement.

Rabbi Andy Green — President, Greater Phoenix Board of Rabbis
Rev. Aubrey Barnwell — Chairperson, African American Christian Clergy Coalition (AACCC)
Rev. Dr. Brad Munroe — Pastor to the Presbytery, Grand Canyon and de Cristo presbyteries
The Rev. Dr. Carlo A. Rapanut — Bishop, Phoenix and New Mexico Episcopal Areas of The United Methodist Church
The Reverend Deborah K. Hutterer — Bishop, Grand Canyon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott — Associate Conference Minister, Southwest Conference United Church of Christ
Rev. Dr. Jay R. Hartley — Regional Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona
The Right Rev. Jennifer A. Reddall — VI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona
Most Reverend Bishop John P. Dolan — Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
Mr. Mahbubur Rahman Maruf — Imam at the United Islamic Centre of Arizona