Wisconsin Faithful - Ideas to Encourage People in our Churches to VOTE!

 

IDEAS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE IN OUR CHURCHES TO VOTE

 1. Form a prayer team that meets regularly between now and the election. Pray specifically that God will move on His people to vote and to vote in a way that honors Him, for elected officials as Paul instructs us in I Timothy 2:1-4, and for revival in our land. 

2. Send some timely emails to everyone in your church, reminding them of election-related dates (Check here for dates/deadlines: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Voter-Deadlines) and urging them to get registered if they haven't and to make sure they vote. Include the www.myvote.wi.gov link to make registration, requesting an absentee ballot, and more convenient. 

3. Do voter registration drives at your church on at least 2 consecutive Sundays. You just need a couple of volunteers to be at tables in the lobby after church with a couple of laptops. People can register online or change their address if needed at www.myvote.wi.gov. National Voter Registration Sunday is 9/15: https://www.voterregistrationsunday.org/. 

4. Encourage people to be poll workers or poll watchers. Poll workers need to be trained but they are front-line people who know the law and what is to be done and can make sure correct procedures are followed; check with your municipal clerk. Poll watchers are authorized through the political parties. Check with the leaders of the party of your choice. 

5. Use your personal and your church's (with permission) social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) to post messages/memes such as "Go Vote," 'Be Sure Your Voice Is Heard: VOTE!," "Honor God with Your Vote--Choose Well!" 

6. Distribute appropriate, c3-approved, educational election material to people in your church. Hand it out personally, or check with church leadership to see if they would be ok if it was put in communication folders/boxes or put on a literature table. a. Wisconsin Faithful's voter info card (copy attached; call or email us for print copies) b. Voter Information Publications (VIP) - Wisconsin Faithful has one prepared for the US Senate race (attached; call/email for print copies). This includes information on the statewide referendum regarding citizenship to vote. A presidential VIP will be available soon. c. Choose Well materials from Wisconsin Family Council--coming soon! Email Daniel Degner at ddegner@wifamilycouncil.org. d. Create your own handout if what is available isn't what you want. Print copies and distribute. Doesn't need to be fancy; just clear and helpful. 

7. Get a team together and divvy up your church directory. Call everyone in the directory at least once--the Saturday or the Monday before the election especially. 

8. Develop a list of cell phones for your fellow church members and send texts at appropriate times (when early voting starts, last day to get an absentee ballot, day before election, etc.) Again, this can be divided up with others who are working with you. 

9. Put up on a prominent bulletin board (or multiple boards if available), a flyer referring people to https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/. It's also helpful to include maps of the pertinent Assembly and Senate Districts for the bulk of your church families. The new maps are in use this election and a map can help people know their correct district and the candidates that will be on their ballot. Check here for at least the basic maps: https://maps.legis.wisconsin.gov/?version=2022 . Another helpful website for information on the candidates is https://ivoterguide.com/voter-guide/eleck/1251. 

10. Encourage your pastor to do something every Sunday between now and the election to just remind people about the election and the importance of their vote. Pastor Reehoff says he spends 10-15 secs each Sunday with a brief announcement that he personally makes about the election. If nothing else, urge the pastor to at least make an announcement from the pulpit (and also put it on the powerpoint announcements) the Sunday before the election reminding people about the election and encouraging them to vote. 

11. Ask church leadership to put Election Day, November 5, on the church calendar. 

12. Ask church leadership to show some very brief election-related videos. Wisconsin Family Council will have some through its Choose Well program soon. Others are available online. I'll be producing a short one at Pastor Reehoff's request. 

13. Put a few timely announcements in your regular church email (with permission of course) regarding the election and the importance of voting. 

14. Conduct a contest to see if the church can get to a certain percentage goal of people voting. For instance, make it a goal that at least 80% of your eligible voters vote in this upcoming election. Have some place readily available where those who have voted can sign their name indicating they have voted. If the church makes the goal, make a fairly big deal about it and the difference your collective voice makes in every election. 

15. Encourage those you know in other churches to become a committee of one in their own church to encourage voting amongst church goers. Feel free to share this list of ideas! 

16. Consider using the church van to get people to the polls on Election Day--or get a few of your fellow church members who are willing to drive people to the polls. Announce this transportation opportunity the Sunday before the election and also in emails in the days leading up to the election.

 Above all, remember that no outside group or outside individual has a more powerful voice with your fellow church families than you--and of course your pastor! When you as someone involved directly with your church speak to others in your church graciously and kindly about the importance of this election and the importance of their vote, you are making an incredible difference!