Poll Chaplains
This Great Idea is inspired by questions on a text thread, was quashed when I learned that training is not provided in MN, then rekindled by Heather Cox Richardson’s post for July 28, 2024 – a powerful look at key moments in US history that have shaped us as a democracy.
Richardson asserts that, ‘When President Biden announced…the he would not accept the Democratic nomination for president, he did not pass the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris.
He passed it to us.’
This statement clarified the following Great Idea:
How can our congregations and leaders – who feel called to do so – be allies and advocates for a peaceful election process?
Historically, church buildings were election sites. For very valid and good reasons, this is not as often the case, these days.
But with a highly contentious and potentially violent election season quickly approaching, a pastoral, spiritual presence may be a great gift to election officials and the community.
Poll chaplains and the basics of their training are hinted at here and here. Faiths United to Save Democracy and Sojourners (respectively) are working together to train and support poll chaplains in states they consider ‘high-priority’ and ‘greatest need’, including AL, AZ, FL, GA, MI, NC, OH, PA, TX, and WI.
Minnesota is blessedly not on this list – but that doesn’t mean we don’t have vulnerable populations, concerned elections officials, and hesitant voters.
Faiths United to Save Democracy (FUSD) emphasize their multifaith, multi-racial, intergenerational spectrum of poll chaplains.
~With whom might your congregation partner to fill out a multifaith, multi-racial intergenerational chaplaincy?
FUSD define poll chaplains as ‘peacekeepers’ who will ‘provide a calming and moral presence to vulnerable voters, such as the elderly, disabled, youth, and disenfranchised citizens’. They cite Genesis 1:27 and Matthew 5:9 in support of this work.
~How might local congregations affirm unique and deeply loved individuals enacting their constitutional right and responsibility to vote?
~How might leaders be a presence of peace, especially for and with the most vulnerable of voters?
Minnesota-based leaders are not eligible for Sojourner’s/FUSD’s poll chaplain training, but we can glean wisdom from their materials – namely:
- What makes for a good poll chaplain? The FUSD criteria is here.
- Find their Election Preparation Plan and support materials here.
- Their FAQ response tips, ‘Hear This… Say This’, are here.
- Check out their Why Vote? video and X post
- Their ‘How to Prepare Your House of Worship for the 2024 Election Toolkit’ is here.
Responsibilities of a poll chaplain include:
- Act as a moral presence
- Provide practical assistance to voters
- Protect voters from intimidation
- Report any instances of voter suppression to lawyer hotline
The Ministry Lab intends to create or partner with someone who already provides training in this area. We will share an opportunity to learn and network with other religious leaders by early fall. Keep an eye on our website for updates!
