Advocate Letter on Elections
Colleagues in Ministry in NW Wisconsin,

Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;
Beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
“To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all that live.
O simple ones learn prudence; acquire intelligence, you who lack it.
Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right.”
Proverbs 8:1-6

Wisdom cries out so that we may learn how to live as God’s people in a country divided and polarized, a country crying out for justice and leaders who are compassionate and effective. Will we listen to Wisdom’s call? Will we do what we can to help during this November’s election?

First, I ask you to PRAY for all involved in organizing and running our elections this fall – city clerks, poll workers, and election inspectors. PRAY for all who are voting and for those who are candidates. PRAY for God to sustain us all during this election, whatever our role or responsibilities, helping us find courage, resilience, and patience in equal measure.

Second, please participate in this year’s election. Learn about the issues that are involved in this election. Pay attention to what is at stake for the most vulnerable among us, the elderly, the poor, the hungry, the sick, the refugees, the immigrants. Remember to vote. Help your neighbors get to the polls, if they need assistance. Help them apply for absentee ballots [see below for information on how to do that]. There is a great deal even a single person can do to make a difference during the next few months.

And third, I ask you to continue to act with courage and compassion as you do God’s work in your communities. I also ask you to add what might be a new thing to that work: helping with the November election in a more systematic way. 

If you decide to help, this message includes brief descriptions and links to a wide variety of resources and information. But in helping with elections and voting, be aware that even helping with elections may be seen as “politically partisan” or even divisive in your community right now. Even hosting a voter registration drive might be seen as “partisan” political activity by some in your congregations.
Nothing here is connected to a political party or a particular candidate. Doing that is not part of my role as the Hunger and Justice Advocate, and it’s not part of my understanding of the public ministry of the church. It’s appropriate for any church anywhere at any time to provide space for forums, for discussions, for conversations, for teaching and learning about how to act faithfully as both citizens of a country and citizens of the Kingdom of God.

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 synod office at 715-859-6810. Another person you can talk to is Rev. Cindy Crane at the Lutheran Office for Public Policy, Wisconsin [cindyc@loppw.org or 608-270-0201].


Wisconsin Election Information

Before making decisions or implementing any initiatives about voting, it will be important to keep a line of communication open with the election officials in your community, whether it’s a township clerk, city clerk, or county clerk. Please make sure they know what you are planning and ask if they have any concerns or advice.

·      Wisconsin Elections Commission – There is a lot of useful general information about elections and voting on the Commission’s website: https://elections.wi.gov/

·      Online Voter Registration – It is possible to help voters register as voters, and there is a video you can watch to learn how to do that: https://elections.wi.gov/publications/video/OVR_for_Former_SRDs

·      Poll Workers – With the pandemic still a concern, and likely to be one well past November, please consider contacting your local election officials to find out what roles need filling for polling day: https://elections.wi.gov/node/6877

·      Requesting Absentee Ballots – It is legal to help those requesting and using absentee ballots, but there are a number of rules and requirements about absentee voting that are worth reviewing before offering to help anyone: https://elections.wi.gov/voters/absentee

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 of the same resources at the WCC’s voter resources page as you do here, but there is also good advice about how to avoid partisanship in voter education initiatives: 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/

Whatever you are able and willing to do, thank you for supporting voting in your communities. Remember that you can reach out to election officials in your communities when you have questions. Answering your questions is part of their job.

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