Your voice matters.
LAMA Votes
We are called to conversation and prayer around our role as U.S. residents and as people of faith in ensuring our election systems promote dignity and respect for all.
We are called to act by speaking out as advocates and engaging in local efforts to guarantee the right to vote to all citizens.
The ELCA Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement Discipleship in a Democracy says, “[G]overnment remains God’s gift because it is intended to do what churches, families, individuals, and businesses cannot do on their own: protect and coordinate the well-being of individuals, communities, and creation. Some people object to the church involving itself in matters related to government, in “politics.” Taking partisan stances is not the church’s role, but “politics” has to do with negotiating how the benefits and burdens of living in a society are shared. Politics is key to self-governance … ELCA social teaching holds that all residents of the United States have a responsibility to make government function well—not to abandon our democracy but to engage it in a spirit of robust civic duty. For Lutherans, this responsibility is lived out as a calling from God, expressed in the discipleship described in our baptismal promises. It is based on our understanding of how God governs human society.”
We hope you will use the page of resources to prepare for the upcoming elections and vote faithfully!
NEXT ELECTION: Arizona State Primary July 30
Arizona Election Calendar
July 1: Last day to register to vote in the primary election
July 19: Last day to request a Ballot-By-Mail for the primary
July 23: Last day to mail your ballot back
July 26: Last day to vote early in person
July 23: Primary election day
October 7: Last day to register for general
October 25: Last day to request ballot,
October 29: Last day to mail ballot
November 5: General election day
Voter Registration
Check your voter registration status here! The Arizona Secretary of State’s office allows you to check and update your voter registration through the Voter Information Portal
Register to Vote Here! Visit the Motor Vehicles Department’s ServiceArizona portal. You can also download the Voter Registration Form here and mail it to your county recorder’s office or register in person at your county recorder’s office (list of county recorders available here).
If you do not have a residence address, you can still vote! You can find the “No Residence Address” form here
If you are a participant in the Address Confidentiality Program, you can still register to vote without making your address public! Learn more about Protected Voter Registration here.
Form more information, including information for Tribal members, military voters, citizens living overseas, and accessible voting, visit the Secretary of State’s Voters Page here.
Arizona Voter Information Portal
The Arizona Voter Information Portal is a tool developed by the Secretary of State’s office. In addition to checking your registration status, voters can request a Ballot-By-Mail, track a ballot’s status, find a polling location, and more!
Voter ID Requirements
LIST #1 - SUFFICIENT PHOTO ID INCLUDING NAME AND ADDRESS (ONE REQUIRED)
Valid Arizona driver license
Valid Arizona non-operating identification card
Tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification
Valid United States federal, state, or local government-issued identification
LIST #2 - SUFFICIENT ID WITHOUT A PHOTOGRAPH THAT BEARS THE NAME AND ADDRESS (TWO REQUIRED)
Utility bill of the elector that is dated within 90 days of the date of the election. A utility bill may be for electric, gas, water, solid waste, sewer, telephone, cellular phone, or cable television
Bank or credit union statement that is dated within 90 days of the date of the election
Valid Arizona Vehicle Registration
Indian census card
Property tax statement of the elector's residence
Tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification
Arizona vehicle insurance card
Recorder's Certificate
Valid United States federal, state, or local government-issued identification, including a voter registration card issued by the County Recorder
Any mailing to the elector marked “Official Election Material”
LIST #3 - MIX & MATCH FROM LISTS #1 & #2 (TWO REQUIRED)
Any valid photo identification from List 1 in which the address does not reasonably match the precinct register accompanied by a non-photo identification from List 2 in which the address does reasonably match the precinct register
U.S. Passport without address and one valid item from List 2
U.S. Military identification without address and one valid item from List 2
County Elections Departments
In Arizona, each county oversees its own elections. More specific information about voting in your county can be found at…
ELCAvotes is an initiative:
Expanding the role of the church in encouraging faithful and nonpartisan voter participation by providing faith-based resources around voting
Providing a framework for all Lutherans to understand and speak out about the intersection of voting and elections and racial, gender and economic justice
Amplifying the voices of young-adult leaders in the church and providing a platform for young adults to explore what it means to be a civically engaged person of faith
Engaging with and equipping ethnic communities to talk about voting rights and race and their connection with elections today
“[It is] resolved, that members, congregations, and synods of this church be encouraged to “promote public life worthy of the name” by speaking out as an advocate and engaging in local efforts such as voter registration and supporting legislation to guarantee the right to vote to all citizens …”
Social Policy Resolution “Voting Rights to All Citizens” adopted Aug. 2013
For more resources, visit the ELCA Civic Engagement Resource Page.
ELCA Civic Engagement Guide
This resource guide encourages, empowers and equips voter education and other responsible civic participation shaped by faith values.
This 22 page packet is meant to be an overview/orientation to ministries, congregations, small groups, and any other ELCA-affiliated group that wants to explore civic engagement. It contains a statement from the Presiding Bishop, conversation starters, advice for interacting with candidates, legal considerations, engagement specifically for marginalized communities, civic engagement tip sheets, guidelines for candidate forums, pledge-to-vote sign up sheets, get out the vote initiatives, and more!
Take a look at this guide to find ideas for your congregation!
“Being a Public Church: Guidance for Churches and Clergy Participating in the Election Process”
This guide is written for church leadership and clergy to help churches properly navigate the election process. It offers insight into what churches can and cannot do in relation to the IRS and 501(c)(3) status. It also outlines what clergy can do as representatives of the church vs as individuals. This guide offers some great perspective for congregations that wish to participate in the election process but are unsure how to do so.
Prepare to Vote Checklist for Congregations
This checklist was made so that congregations can share vital voting information with their members! This can help folks get oriented and ready for the election. Download and fill out the checklist, and post it in your narthex, on a bulletin board, or somewhere else where people can see it!
Check out your location’s election practices and be ready! A new worksheet can help you find & gather the info – for yourself and to share in your congregation. Find it at https://download.elca.org/.../prepared_to_vote_checklist...