Religious groups are pulling out all the stops with training and strategy-sharing events to promote and defend the right to vote in the coming midterm elections.
“We’re all looking at how can we be authentic to our faith and still engage in the work to protect our democracy, which is what protects our freedom of religion and allows us to be passionate followers of Christ,” said Jennifer Hawks, director of advocacy for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
Jennifer Hawks
Hawks co-led a recent event for CBF and Alliance of Baptists churches. “Election Defense Call” gathered church activists in listening sessions focused on ways denominations and congregations can engage in voter-participation efforts.
“We believe the freedom of conscience gives rise to authentic faith, sustainable community and equitable society,” said Madison Hilt, pastor of community advocacy at Riverside Church, a Jacksonville, Fla., congregation aligned with the Alliance and CBF.
Such efforts come in response to the Trump administration’s clear attempts to subvert the November election.
President Donald Trump, an election denier whose approval ratings have hit negative numbers, has striven to federalize elections, purge voting rolls and curtail mail-in balloting. He has even threatened to deploy armed agents to polling sites.
“Our democracy is at a crossroads, and the sacred right to vote is very much on the line,” said Interfaith Alliance President Paul Brandeis Raushenbush in announcing a 15-state interfaith bus tour to support free elections.
The “Vote is Sacred Tour” will occur in October and November and will mobilize voters and prepare congregations for a possible election crisis.
Paul Raushenbush (Photo by Shannon Finney)
“At a time when free and fair elections are under threat and anti-democratic forces seek to weaponize religion for their own harmful ends, faith communities can play a vital role in helping their neighbors defend our elections and the democratic process,” Raushenbush said. “Through this tour, we are bringing together diverse faith communities and inspiring local leaders to affirm that democracy belongs to all of us.”
Religious leaders on the tour will participate in local get-out-the-vote activities and help train clergy about the Trump administration’s threats against democracy.
Along with the League of Women Voters, Interfaith America, the Protect Democracy Project and Sojourners, Interfaith Alliance has launched a corresponding website with resources for individuals and churches that want to host trainings and other pro-democracy efforts in their communities.
The Progressive National Baptist Convention, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the AFL-CIO announced a campaign in August focused on civil rights and racial and economic disparities ahead of the midterms.
Keith W. Byrd Sr.
“We’ve got to hit the ground running. We don’t have time to mess around. Everything is at stake,” said PNBC President Keith W. Byrd Sr.
Other organizations are promoting training for poll chaplains and peacekeepers to help de-escalate possible tensions on election day.
Faiths United to Save Democracy will host chaplain and peacekeeper trainings Sept. 28 and Oct. 15 for civil and faith leaders.
Participation will provide a way to follow Jesus’ command in Matthew 25 to care for the vulnerable, including those who may be intimidated by the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement at polling locations, the group said. “During the 2026 midterm elections, Americans will exercise one of the most important rights of citizenship, the precious right to vote. While it is illegal, ICE will likely be at targeted polling sites, increasing fear and even keeping many from voting.”
Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh, N.C., announced it will host an online training for poll chaplains and peacekeepers later this month through Faiths United to Save Democracy.
“Poll peacekeepers are community and lay leaders, while poll chaplains are active and retired ordained clergy,” the Alliance of Baptists and Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists congregation said. “Those serving provide a calming, moral presence and practical support aided by connecting voters to a hotline at polling.”
T’ruah, the Rabbinc Call for Human Rights, said it is holding poll chaplain training Sept. 28 and October 15.
“At a time when election workers and voters continue to face intimidation and misinformation, clergy have a unique role to play in affirming the dignity of every person and the integrity of our democratic process,” the organization said.
Hawks emphasized the importance of coalitions in advocacy work and noted that CBF is engaged with Powered by Faith in its pro-democracy efforts. It is also working with the Alliance in a “Loving Your Neighbor to the Voting Booth” campaign.
“As we feel called to live out the gospel, we want you to know that we are engaging in this work with others, that we are in conversation with others,” Hawks said. “This is a time for Alliance and CBF churches to be able to have a conversation about [how] we do this work.”