National Council of Churches to Prepare Poll Chaplains
The National Council of Churches believes that Poll Chaplains are a vital resource as they "stand in the gap" to help ensure free, fair, and safe elections that protect the most vulnerable citizens during this election season. With early voting already having started in many states, Poll Chaplains will provide a powerful moral presence while also answering voters' practical questions as they seek to cast their ballots informatively.
“Now more than ever we need positive prophetic peaceful presence at the polls” said Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Interim President/General Secretary, who participated in the inaugural Poll Chaplain training. “There are now more than 600 persons trained to volunteer, equipped with toolkits and resources so no one feels alone adrift in a sea of intimidation tactics.”
Also participating in the inaugural training was Ms. Armandi Eaddy, National Coordinator, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under the Law; Rev. Terrance McKinley, Director of Racial Justice Mobilizing, Sojourners; Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, Faiths United to Save Democracy; the Honorable Constance Newman, Skinner Institute; Rev. Jim Wallis, Center for Faith and Politics at Georgetown University; and, Mr. Eli McCarthy, DC Peace Team.
The National Council of Churches has partnered with Faiths United to Save Democracy (FUSD), Sojourners, Center for Faith and Justice at Georgetown, and the National African American Clergy Network on this effort. There is still time to sign up to serve as a Poll Chaplain, especially in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin. For more information go to www.turnoutsunday.com.
A final required one-hour Poll Chaplain training is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25th (4-5 pm/EST), followed by an optional De-escalation training (5-6 -pm/EST) to help poll chaplains peacefully handle conflicts that may arise at polling sites.
Register for the Training at:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlf-6rrz0jHtxYzJAVYBVh3-QpUYVChcTE