Message from Clergy Network for National Leadership Change
Election Day is nearly here, a day of critical public choice. The one focus now is voting, progressive religious people voting, everybody eligible voting. It's called "Voter Mobilization."
Just a few weeks back, the focus was "Voter Registration." Now, it is "Voter Mobilization." Religious communities can play a crucial voting role. Our initiative "PASTORS AT THE POLLS" is all about Voter Mobilization.
Pastors - and religious leaders by other designations -- can make a definite difference. Pastors can lead, urge, influence and teach. Pastors lead best by an active example. The example in our initiative is simple, available and clear: Pastors who spend Election Day at the Polls.
Pastors at the Polls is strictly nonpartisan, inclusive of all religious leaders, both ordained and lay, who want to take part and grounded in a basic American ideal: democracy works best when all free citizens who are eligible actually get to the voting booth and cast a secure and private ballot.
Pastors at the Polls is not about participating as an election official. Some may want to do that, and we can point you in the right direction. But if you serve as an election official, you will have to leave your Pastors at the Polls lapel pin behind.
Pastors at the Polls is a simple public witness that every pastor and every religious leader can undertake. By telling your congregation or religious community in advance that you are spending Election Day at the voting places, you underscore the importance of voting. Your urging them to vote can then take the form of an invitation to meet you there: "See you on November 2!"
Pastors at the Polls can welcome and commend those arriving to vote. Some are timid, some intimidated, some confused. A pastoral word of suppport can help.
Pastors at the Polls is a silent reminder to voting officials that they are mandated to conduct a clear, clean, inclusive and accurate voting operation. Pastors symbolize moral integrity, which reminds public officials of ethical accountability, beyond government requirements.. 'A pastor watching' continues to be powerful.
Let's be clear what Pastors at the Polls is not: no 'politicking!' No, strictly and absolutely. It would be pastorally compromising, and it is normally illegal! The purpose is not influencing; it is encouraging. Incidentally any pastor seeking to influence or instruct voters at the voting place, especially from the Christian Right, is out of place, can be challenged and should be reported to election supervision officials.
No intrusion into the polling place or inside the limits set for non-voters. No distribution of campaign materials for any candidates. No wearing of any campaign pins or clothing. Pastors need to respect the election laws absolutely.
Let's put this simple plan in context: is it worth doing? Here are the facts: Progressive religious people, largely moderate and not caught up in either political extreme, actually outnumber extremists by an enormous margin, even as much as 3 to 1. The problem is that they have not voted! Progressive religious communities have preached and even pontificated but neither organized nor led on the side of actual voting. This is the year for progressive religious people to take voting very seriously. Pastors at the Polls can make such voting happen.
If you would like to be a part of PASTORS AT THE POLLS, here is how:
- Contact Clergy Network immediately: [email protected] or [email protected], or by phone: (202) 554-2121
- Record your name and address. Both clergy and lay religious leaders are welcome to take part. Those not ordained can be a 'pastor for a day!'
- Request "Pastors at the Polls" materials to be mailed to you. No charge, gifts welcomed. For your lapel button, indicate Pastor, Rabbi or Religious Leader.
- Publicize your participation. Use your newsletter, worship bulletin or bulletin board in your own religious community. Give the story of pastors present at the polls on Election Day to your local newspaper or religion editor or radio and TV media journalists. Urge other pastors to join you. Help the message to reach your whole community.
And when Election Day is over, keep your lapel button as a remembrance of having played a part.
