Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
– Book of Common Prayer, p. 822
OBJECTIVE
As witnesses to being Jesus people, EDSD is building a nonpartisan positive voter participation initiative in 2026 through a coalition of congregations and community partners. The purpose of this initiative is to encourage confident, informed, and active voter participation in the 2026 midterm election. There are several ways your congregation can participate:
JOIN BISHOP SUSAN IN ONLINE PRAYER EVENT
On the eve of Election Day, Bishop Susan Brown Snook and leaders from across the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego invite you to gather online for a service of prayer on Monday, November 2, at 6:00 p.m.
In a season when public life can feel anxious, divided, and uncertain, the Church is called to something deeper than partisanship: to remember who we are in Christ. Together, we will pray for our country, for those who lead and serve, for the poor and vulnerable, for peace among nations, for the human family, and for wisdom in the days ahead.
This service is an invitation to place our hopes, fears, and responsibilities before God and to renew our commitment to seek and serve Christ in one another. Whatever the days ahead may bring, we gather as one body, trusting that our deepest allegiance is to the way of Jesus and that our common life is shaped by prayer, mercy, justice, and love.
Join us online at 6:00 p.m. on November 2 for this diocesan Election Eve Prayer Service.
OFFER AND/OR PROMOTE POSITIVE VOTER ACTIVITY
In collaboration with other organizations in your community, you can engage in projects during this election cycle that can address polarization, share trustworthy information, promote safe, positive voting experiences, recruit poll workers, and/or direct your community to polling locations.
For in-depth information on each of these, please refer to the Faith In Elections Playbook from Interfaith America.
1. Address Polarization
Host conversations across difference in forums, mid-week gatherings, etc.
Resources: Living Room Conversations, Constructive Dialogue Institute, Faith Over Division, Interfaith America’s Shared Values Guide
2. Share Trustworthy Information
a. Add a link to your local election administration website and send election-related information to your congregants on how to register to vote, dates and times, locations, checking your vote status, etc.
Resources: Vote.org, Vote411.org, U.S. Vote Foundation, National Association of Secretaries of State
b. Partner with local nonpartisan community groups to provide voter-related education.
Resources: Candidate Forums (League of Women Voters/KPBS), Prop Talks/Ballot Reviews (League of Women Voters), Election Security (Registrar of Voters), etc.
3. Promote Safe, Positive Voting Experiences
Election Day can be a joyful celebration of our civic duties and opportunities. You can encourage this by providing food, drink, and a positive presence to those in long lines. Clergy in clericals can also serve as poll chaplains. Check with election officials in your area to ensure volunteers are allowed to provide food and drink.
Resources: Food and Drink Checklist, Pizza to the Polls, Joy to the Polls
4. Recruit Poll Workers
Nonpartisan poll workers help our elections run smoothly for everyone. The more poll workers available, the shorter lines for voters. Poll workers are trained and paid for their labor.
Resources: Power to the Polls, Poll Worker Preparedness Checklist, Poll Worker Requirements by State
5. Direct Your Community to Polling Locations
More polling locations ensure that more citizens can vote. Your congregations can provide spaces for voting or assist at another.
Resources: Tips for Churches that will Provide Polling Places, Jewish Partnership for Democracy Guide for Polling Places, Safety and Security Recommendations, National Conference of State Legislatures Polling Locations List
VOTER RESOURCES
Are you registered to vote? Do you know where your ballot dropbox is? Do you know where your polling station is?
- California Common Cause
- Easy Voter Guide
- Faith in Elections Playbook
- The Full Fact Toolkit
- League of Women Voters, San Diego
- LWVSD North County
- Misinformation Sheet
- National Conflict Resolution Center
- Political Campaign Restrictions for 501(c)(3) Organizations
- Registrar of Voters
- Scripture for Civil Conversations
- USD Institute for Civic Engagement
FOR CLERGY
- Baylor University Difficult Conversation Resources
- Beginning with the End in Mind: A Call for Goal-Driven Deliberative Practice by Martín Carcasson
- Clergy Emergency League
- Liturgical Resources for Election Season
- Prayers for the Election Season
- Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide by Leah D. Schade
- Political Campaign Restrictions for 501(c)(3) Organizations
- The Politics of Faith: The Bible, Government, and Public Policy by Jerry L. Sumney
- Public Faith in Action: How to Think Carefully, Engage Wisely, and Vote with Integrity by Miroslav Volf and Ryan McAnnally-Linz
- Scripture for Civil Conversations
