Advocate Letter on Elections - Part 3
Colleagues in Ministry in NW Wisconsin,

Over the past couple of weeks ago you should have received two emails about voting and elections this year, and about how to help with them. I asked us all to think about how Wisdom cries out [Proverbs 8:1-6] to teach us how to live as God’s people in a country divided and polarized.

This follow-up message focuses more on the resources of non-profit and non-partisan justice organizations that can help you organize forums or simply become better informed about the issues and barriers to voting we currently live with.

But first there are some important deadlines. Please note that more than one of these is involved in Federal Court action. The dates you see first are the ones set by a Federal judge on September 21; the original deadlines are included in bold red typeface.

·      October 21 [originally October 14] – Registering to vote online [by 11:59 p.m.] or by mail [postmark]

·      October 22-29 – Window for requesting a replacement ballot if the original has not arrived. [Only permitted if the judgement from September 21 is upheld on appeals.]

·      October 30 at 5 p.m. – Registering to vote in person

·      November 3 – Register at your polling place on Election Day OR put absentee ballot in mail

·      November 9 [originally November 3] – Receive absentee ballots postmarked on or before November 3.

Information for Churches and 501(c)3 Organizations
As we close in on Election Day, you may be getting questions about permitted political activity for churches. Briefly, congregations cannot support or endorse any candidates for office, but we can be involved in issue advocacy and non-partisan political activity [e.g. voter registration drives, serving as a polling place, etc.]. Church employees can endorse or support candidates, but only if it is clear that they are acting in their personal capacity and NOT in their capacity as an employee of a church. The ELCA’s primary resource on questions about non-profit status and political activity can be found in the attached PDFs or at the URL below.

If you have any questions, or want to let me (or other synod staff) know about something specific related to voting or elections happening in your community or congregation, please feel free to contact me, Deacon David Rask Behling at hungerandjustice@nwswi.org or 715.642.0109, or call the NW Synod office at 715-859-6810.

Spiritual Reflection and Resilience from WISDOM
WISDOM is a statewide network of faith-based organizations that work for justice in their communities. From September 24 through November 3, WISDOM will share a daily common prayer and a reflection from different faith perspectives. You are invited to sign up for a 40 Days of Prayer mailing list [URL: Sign up for the 40 Days of Prayer mailing list.].

After signing up, you will begin receiving a daily prayer and reflection by email that you can integrate into your own daily devotional, meditation, or Sabbath time in whatever way works best for you.

Here are some ideas:
·      Pray and reflect in silence as part of your morning routine.

·      Invite a few friends to join you in prayer via Zoom at the same time each day.

·      Read the prayer and reflection aloud before dinner and discuss with your family.

·      Share the prayer and reflections in your faith community/congregation newsletter or on social media.

Non-Partisan Elections and Voting Resources
·       Lutheran Office for Public Policy, Wisconsin – LOPPW is the primary voice for the ELCA in Madison, communicating concerns and priorities with legislators, the governor, and agency staff. https://www.loppw.org

·       ELCA Votes – This section of the ELCA’s website provides resources for churches to use in helping with voting and elections this year but also in talking about this election. https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Publicly-Engaged-Church/ELCAVotes

·       All Voting is Local Wisconsin: This organization works to erase or overcome barriers people face when trying to exercise their right to vote. URL:  https://allvotingislocal.org/state/wisconsin/

·       Wisconsin League of Women Voters – This organization has a long history of non-partisan involvement in elections and voting, often including setting up forums, town halls, or debates among candidates. The link takes you to the Voter Information page at LWV, but there is also a tool that can help you find any local chapters in your part of the synod. https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/voter-information

·       Relational Voter Program – This is an approach to voter outreach that relies on volunteers’ networks of family and friends. JONAH in Eau Claire will be able to provide resources and advice for those interested in using this strategy in their community. URLs: http://jonahjustice.org/2020/02/wisdom-relational-voter-program-rvp/ or http://www.asklearnvote.org/relational-voter-program.html

·       Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice [WFVJ] – This is a statewide interfaith organization that promotes action in support of the common good and human dignity. URL: https://wisconsinfaithvoicesforjustice.weebly.com/

·       Wisconsin Council of Churches [WCC] – You will find some good advice on how to avoid partisanship at this URL: https://www.wichurches.org/2020/01/12/voter-resources/

·       Wisconsin Interfaith Voter Engagement Campaign – This is a partnership of  the WCC and WFVJ in order to engage the interfaith communities of Wisconsin in the democratic process.URL: https://interfaithvotewi.org/[Additional Information: WFVJ is looking for MyFaith/MyVote/MyStory videos from you, whatever your faith or religious affiliation. More information is available at this URL: https://interfaithvotewi.org/voter-stories

·       ELCA Resources on Public Ministry, Political Activity, and Tax Status – the ELCA has guidance and information on how to become involved in elections and political advocacy. URL: https://www.elca.org/About/Churchwide/Office-of-the-Secretary/Legal-Issues/Taxes


Whatever you are able and willing to do, thank you for supporting voting in your communities. 


Breathe deep. Seek peace and justice for all. Stand up for those who are ignored or oppressed.

Deacon David Rask Behling
Hunger and Justice Advocate,
Northwest Synod of Wisconsin
715.642.0109
 


When we’re accustomed to privilege, equality can feel like oppression.      
~Anonymous