10 THINGS YOUR CONGREGATION CAN DO
Prepared by Scott D. Anderson, Former Executive Director, Wisconsin Council of Churches
(reprinted with permission from Wisconsin Council of Churches Ecu-News, July 2004)
Download this list, along with guidelines for organizing an adult education forum, a candidate forum, and a voter registration drive.
1 HOLD AN ADULT EDUCATION FORUM ON THE ISSUES
Organize an adult education forum several weeks in advance of the election to examine the issues being discussed in the fall election at the state and federal level from a faith perspective. See the resource below on organizing an adult education forum for more information.
2 HOLD A PRESENTATION OF EACH CANDIDATES’ VIEWS
Ask members of your congregation to read about one issue for each candidate, and then hold a “Voters Night.” Each person presents a summary of the candidates’ view on the issue they studied. This saves everyone from researching all the issues themselves.
3 ORGANIZE A CANDIDATES FORUM
Hold a candidate forum. Invite all candidates for a particular office to attend. See the resource below on organizing a candidate forum for more information.
4 CONDUCT A BIBLE STUDY ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN CHRISTIAN FAITH AND FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP
The connections are not obvious to many Christians. Arrange for your congregation to offer a Bible study on the issue prior to the election. Check with your denominational office for good resources.
5 ORGANIZE VOTER REGISTRATION
Since many people do not know how or where to register, your congregation can make it easier by organizing a voter registration drive. See the resource below, Conducting a Voter Registration Drive, for more information.
6 SET A “100% REGISTERED” GOAL
Become a “100% congregation” by making sure every church member is registered to vote.
7 PROMOTE “VOTE BY MAIL”
For voters who cannot make it to the polls, promote the “vote by mail” (also known as an “absentee ballot”) option.
8 OFFER YOUR CONGREGATION AS A POLLING SITE
Often polling sites need to change. By offering your congregation as a site, you can help your community to vote. Contact your local Registrar of Voters.
9 PROVIDE CHILD CARE AND/OR TRANSPORTATION TO POLLING SITES
Find out who in your congregation and community needs transportation, and then arrange for someone to take them to the polling site. You can also provide child care either at your congregation or right at the polling site (check with your local Registrar of Voters).
10 HAVE A PRAYER SERVICE BEFORE THE ELECTION
Prayer for our elected leaders is important. A special service before the election also can help us remain focused on what is most important in this electoral season.
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