Resources for Churches, Clergy, and Community
Learn from Election Leaders
Monday, October 12, we hosted the speakers from the Michigan Secretary of State: Director of Public Engagement, Mika McAskill and Lt. Secretary of State, Aghogho Edevbi
McAskill and Edevbi shared encouragement and helpful information about how you and your faith community can support our elections.
Election Protection Hotline
If you hear about a potential issue or ICE at a polling location, call the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at
Additional Resources
Worship Resources and Prayers for Election Season
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. - Book of Common Prayer, p. 822
When politics and systems of the world threaten to divide us; Prince of Peace, reign in us. “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
God of Justice, We gather this day in uncertain times–
Times of discord, dissonance, disruption, and disorientation.
And in the midst of such trials, You call us to be neighborly to one another... Read more
We are, as the Apostle Paul says, citizens of God's Kingdom. For those of us who are both citizens of God's kingdom and of the United States, a direct way in which we live out our Christian faith in our civil life is by being informed, knowledgeable, and engaged voters... Read more
What churches CAN do
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Conduct nonpartisan voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities.
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Provide neutral voter education about elections, voting procedures, and public issues.
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Host appropriately structured candidate forums that provide fair and impartial treatment.
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Advocate on public-policy issues—even issues on which candidates strongly disagree.
What churches CANNOT do
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Officially endorse or oppose a candidate for public office.
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Contribute church funds or other institutional resources to a candidate's campaign.
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Use official church communications to tell people to vote for or against a candidate.
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Provide selective institutional support that effectively favors or opposes a candidate.
A Simple Election-Season Test
Before acting, ask:
Purpose: Are we educating and engaging voters—or helping a candidate?
Access: Are candidates and viewpoints being treated fairly?
Message: Could a reasonable observer understand this as favoring or opposing a candidate?
Resources: Are church money, facilities, communications, staff, or platforms being used in a way that constitutes campaign intervention?
Clergy: Individual vs. Institutional Speech
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Clergy and church leaders retain their individual rights to participate in political life.
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A minister may personally support a candidate when clearly acting as an individual rather than for the church.
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Church leaders should clearly distinguish personal political activity from institutional church activity.
