Original blog post from ELCA Advocacy 08/27/24
Some congregations use bulletin blurbs, some post a “Prepared to Vote Checklist” in the window from ELCA.org/civicengagement resources, some help neighbors check their voter registration status during church activities or at shelters they work with – among many creative approaches that fit their setting. Our civic engagement as people of faith can help ensure that everyone benefits from the good of government. Resources and ideas for this important non-partisan service by faith communities an election year are reprinted here by permission from the “Faith in Elections Playbook” of Interfaith America.
Trustworthy information
Faith leaders and religious organizations have a tremendous opportunity to make accurate information about our elections available to our community members. Voters need to know where and how to vote, which is not always easy to find. Information coming from trusted members of the community can go a long way to help voters navigate a potentially confusing situation.
THE NEED
Misinformation, disinformation, and even just plain confusing information can serve as a barrier to voting.
Misinformation is false or inaccurate information.
Disinformation is false information which is deliberately intended to mislead.
Americans in different areas of the country have different options on where and how to vote. Voting rules can change between elections, which makes it difficult for everyday people to keep track.
Some voters — especially voters from historically marginalized groups — have been targeted and purposefully misled with false or intimidating information about voting. Faith-based organizations can counter this mis- and disinformation by connecting their members and audiences with accurate information about the voting process.
THE RESPONSE
Religious organizations are hubs of information and organizing within their specific communities. They provide clear information on upcoming events, holidays, and opportunities to both provide and receive help. This communication infrastructure can be used to provide accurate nonpartisan information on voting and elections.
Organizations that serve historically marginalized communities have a particularly important role to play in providing correct information, as these communities have faced campaigns to suppress their votes in the past, including a campaign to convince Black voters not to vote in the 2020 election.
One of the most important ways to ensure that your members have accurate information regarding voting is to share trustworthy information on your website and in communications. Be certain to link to your local or state election administration’s website for information instead of writing it on your website. This information may change over time.
You can send election-related information to your organization or congregation multiple times during the leadup to the election to ensure that they have accurate information about how they can check their registration, vote, and even track their mail-in ballots.
Some of the most helpful pieces of information for voters include:
How to register to vote and check registration status.
Options for voting, such as early voting, mail-in voting, or dropping off their ballot on Election Day.
The dates, times, and locations for voting early and on Election Day.
What types of identification may be required in your county and state.
Checking the status of mail-in ballots that have been requested or the status of mail-in ballots that voters have returned.
Where to call if you are having issues casting your vote.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
It is legal for houses of worship, denominational organizations, and other 501(c)(3) entities to provide information about voting.
It is important that any shared information about voting does not privilege one candidate over another. Information on voting must not show bias toward any one candidate in the message that you send or with whom you choose to share it. All of your members should have the same access to this nonpartisan information.
You can read more about how to ensure 501(c)3 compliance on the IRS website here.
RESOURCES AND LINKS
The nonpartisan US Vote Foundation website can help voters find contact information for their local election office.
The National Association of Secretaries of State also has specific pages that connect voters to their state’s website dealing with the following topics:
Vote.Org outlines important deadlines related to the election and allows you to sign up to get reminders of upcoming deadlines.
The League of Women Voters has a checklist to Make Your Plan to Vote.
You can share the following phone numbers for voters to call if they are having problems with voting:
1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)
1-888-API-VOTE (Asian multilingual assistance)
1-844-YALLA-US (Arabic)
You can partner with organizations to promote voting, such as:
National Voter Registration Day (partnership page here)
Vote Early Day (partnership page here)
If you are interested in learning how to counter misinformation or disinformation, some great resources include:
Find a faith-based partner:
Faiths United to Save Democracy has a comprehensive resource page with questions and answers related to voting.
ABOUT INTERFAITH AMERICA: Led by Founder and President Eboo Patel, Interfaith America inspires, equips, and connects leaders and institutions to unlock the potential of America’s religious diversity. Utilizing a research-backed approach, Interfaith America works across higher education, racial equity, health, workplace, bridgebuilding, democracy, and technology.