Share this toolkit with the link http://fpl.actionkit.com/sign/fv-toolkit-2020/

As people of faith, we believe in the divinely given dignity of every person. When we participate in the election process and encourage our neighbors to do so too, we declare that we are part of “we the people” and refuse to be excluded from the political representation all people deserve. In order to participate in the 2020 election, we must encourage our communities to register to vote, check their voter registration and cast their ballots.

Registering to vote takes less than 2 minutes:

• Unsure if you’re registered? Check your status here. 
• Register online by visiting www.vote.org and completing the voter registration form for your state. The site walks you through the process depending on your state’s rules, and you can sign up for alerts to track progress and get updates about your election.
• You can also Download the National Mail Voter Registration Form. You can fill it out on-screen and print the completed form, or print the blank form and fill it out by hand. Remember to sign the form before mailing it to the location listed for your state.
• If you’re considering an in-person registration drive, be sure you make it safe by taking precautions for COVID-19.

National Voter Registration Day is September 22! Use these graphics to remind and encourage everyone to register to vote.

Click here to download these graphics

There are multiple ways in which you can cast your ballot in the election, such as requesting a mail ballot, submitting an absentee ballot or participating in in-person voting.

Vote by Mail/Request Absentee Ballot

Voting by mail allows registered voters to vote safely from your home instead of going to a polling place. Mail-in ballots, also known as absentee ballots, are sent to you by your local election official office. Request a mail-in ballot/absentee ballot as soon as possible at www.vote.org.  

When you receive your mail-in ballot, it will include directions and an envelope to return. It's important to follow the directions closely and be sure to check if your state requires a signature on the back of your ballot. Check your local deadlines to make sure your ballot will be counted. If you cannot mail your ballot, you may be able to use a ballot drop-off station.

National Request Your Ballot Day is September 10! Use these graphics to remind and encourage everyone to request their ballot.

Click here to download these graphics

In-Person Voting

When choosing to vote in-person on Election Day, please be sure to follow the guidelines and precautions for COVID-19. Arrive at the polls early, wear your face mask, bring your hand sanitizer, and maybe even a snack as you wait to cast your vote.

Also, consider voting early in-person to avoid long lines on Election Day. Check to see if early voting is available in your state and find your polling place. No matter how you choose to vote this year -- by mail, in-person early or in-person on Election day, we must get out there and make sure our voices count.

Click here to download these graphics

The 2020 election will determine the fate of our democracy. As people of faith we must find innovative ways to show up faithfully and with purpose. Integrating information on how to register to vote and make a voter plan for your congregation within the worship service encourages more voter participation, and ensures that we have leadership founded in dignity, peace, faith and respect for all people.

During worship services, faith leaders have the opportunity to speak concerning voting rights, voter protection, registration and the election process. There are many ways to share this information through a sermon. We encourage you to connect to relevant scripture, faith values and themes of dignity and community, include a prayer for a faithful election process and encourage voter registration, making a voter plan and voting in the 2020 election — as early as possible.

Here are some sermon starters to share during your services:

LET MY PEOPLE VOTE | Get Out The Vote | Christian Faith

• Scripture: Exodus 3:7-15
• Sermon Excerpt: You and I must lead our people to freedom from the atrocities of the Pharaohs of our time. We must hold high the banner of justice and compassion and proclaim with a prophetic voice, let my people go, LET MY PEOPLE VOTE!
• A Prayer for Our Nation’s Election
• Click here for the full version

I AM THE ONE| Social Justice| Christian Faith

• Matthew 18:10-14, Matthew 12:15-21
• Sermon Excerpt: We live in a world in which having power is seen as being of the utmost importance. We are the “one” in the movement, we are the “one” struggling to protect our families and our loved ones, we are “one” that Jesus left the 99 for. And we are the ones to change this world through voting!
• A Prayer for Inspiration and Courage
• Click here for the full version

STAND UP TO INJUSTICE|Muslim Faith

• Sermon Excerpt: "Whoever sees an evil, he should change it by his hands; if he could not do so, then he should change it by his tongue; if he could not do so, then he should do that by his heart, which is the least of faith."-Hadith, Muslim.
• Click here for the full version

THE PROPHET AND THE PEOPLE|Muslim Faith

• Sermon Excerpt: "Help you one another in virtue, righteousness and piety; but do not help one another in sin and transgression." - Al-Qur'an 5:3 .
• Click here for the full version

FIND ME AMONGST THE PEOPLE| Muslim Faith

• Sermon Excerpt: Our work must revolve around being with the oppressed in eliminating suffering, domestically and abroad such as militarism, poverty, policing, mass incarceration, environmental issues, healthcare, immigration, and torture.
• Click here for the full version

MAKE NOW MATTER| Jewish Faith

• Sermon Excerpt: We make NOW matter by pulling ourselves out of despair and apathy, existential angst and fear, and by making our voices heard above the din of the loud voices who want us to believe that our fate has already been sealed. We make NOW matter when we use our bodies and voices, our privilege and prosperity, to make sure that other voices are heard, by not turning a deaf ear to the cries of centuries of oppression and marginalization.
• Click here for the full version

Reader: God, you tell us that we are made in your image. We believe that all people, regardless of race, religion, or immigration status have inherent dignity because you made us. Our God-given dignity demands recognition.

All: We will celebrate our dignity, and we will vote in the 2020 election!

Reader: We know you long for the freedom of all people and for chains of oppression to break. For far too long, too many of your children have been excluded from the democratic process, which has resulted in inequality and injustice. But we know you see each of us as equal in your eyes.

All: Just as you see us as equal, we will use our vote to ensure the equality of all people!

Reader: You’ve commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves. When we register to vote  and solidify our voter plan and ensure our communities do the same, we can address many of the systemic issues we face by electing the right individuals to  pass better legislation.

All: For our neighbors, our future generations, we will vote!

Reader: Lord, you assure us to ‘fear not.’ You walk with us in our lives, and we trust in your spirit and guidance. We proclaim ourselves as your children and our dignified presence in this nation.

All: We declare our presence and we will use our vote to make our voice heard!

Click here to download these graphics

There are many websites and applications that allow you to hold live meetings online and stream and upload videos. This is a great option for communities looking to host worship services and other community meetings or events that would normally take place in-person to promote voting in the 2020 election. Some great ways to encourage your congregation and community are to mention registering to vote and voting during virtual worship services, post a video of you or another faith leader reading a litany or leading a prayer on the voting process, host a virtual Voting 101 presentation or host a Virtual Voting or Election Q&A.

Here are some more resources to help you get started:

• Going Live – Stream live video from your personal and organizational accounts to your community:

Facebook Live and Instagram Live and Youtube Live

• Hosting Meetings – Host live and interactive meetings:  

Google Meet and Skype and Zoom Meetings and

• Posting Videos – Post your recorded videos to share with your community:

Facebook and Youtube and Vimeo

Placing a congregational announcement or message in your place of worship’s newsletter or email is a great way to encourage your community to register and make a plan to vote — as early as possible. Here are samples to use and share with your congregation:

• Our faith teaches that every person has God-given dignity. Therefore everyone deserves for their voice to be heard in the 2020 election. When everyone in our community is registered to vote and casts their ballot (and as early as possible) we take concrete steps toward ending unequal funding and representation. Registering to vote or requesting a mail-in/absentee ballot takes less than 5 minutes. This is our opportunity to declare that we as a faith community believe that the next president must reflect our values and put public health, peace and diplomacy first. No matter how we choose to vote in the 2020 election, we must vote and ensure our voices are heard. Together we can work toward a democracy that works for every family.

• As people of faith, we believe that all people deserve to contribute to the democracy of our country. Voting in the 2020 election ensures that we claim our rightful political representation and fulfill our responsibility to our neighbors and future generations. When we vote and encourage our community to do so too, we determine  our country’s ability to respond with dignity and justice around issues like access to public health, education, racial inequalities and essential services that our communities desperately need. By casting your ballot (as early as possible) we can help to build efforts toward global peace and security and ensure the United States can lead with moral legitimacy. Remember, registering to vote or requesting a mail-in/absentee ballot takes less than 5 minutes and helps to secure your vote in November.

As a faith leader, encouraging your members to vote is one of the most important ways you can contribute to democracy. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts that can help navigate voting and election messaging:

✅ DO

• Do participate in non-partisan voter registration and identification drives
• Do recognize the fears and apprehensions of the community and give assurance about confidentiality laws
• Do use this an opportunity to both educate and encourage others to make a voting plan
• Do discuss what is meaningful to your community
• Do make time to answer questions and share information
• Do promote on social media with #FaithfulVoter and #MyVoterPlan
• Do campaign for or against legislation (as a congregation and/or as an individual church leader).
• Do encourage COVID-19 precautions for all non-virtual activities

🚫 DON’T

• As a clergy member of a congregation, do not support or oppose the candidates on the congregation’s behalf or distribute candidate campaign literature in your official capacity. However, you may do so in your personal capacity-- just be sure to mention that you are not representing the congregation.
• Don’t use the congregation’s funding to give financial contributions to the candidates/office holders.

Social media platforms can be influential when used to disseminate messages, organize groups of people, and communicate with decision makers. Sharing messages on your social media is a great way to encourage your neighbors, friends and community to register and make their voting plan for the 2020 election.

We invite you to copy, paste and share the social media content below to help spread the important message of voting in the 2020 election.

• As people of faith, we believe in the dignity of every person. When we register to vote, make a plan to vote and encourage our neighbors to do so too, we declare that we are part of “we the people” and refuse to be excluded.. #FaithfulVoter #MyVoterPlan
• Being a #FaithfulVoter means making your voter plan early and urging your community to do the same. If you plan to vote by mail, request your ballot today. It’s quick and easy. Go to vote.org to check your voter registration and to request your ballot! #MyVoterPlan
• Did you know that you can choose to vote by mail, early in-person, or in-person on Nov. 3? Whatever you decide, it’s critical that you make a plan now. #MyVoterPlan is to [SHARE YOUR PLAN HERE]. What’s your plan? #FaithfulVoter
• Voting by mail is safe. Just be sure to request your ballot as soon as possible to ensure you both receive it and return it in time. Visit vote.org to request your ballot and see your state’s deadlines. #MyVoterPlan #FaithfulVoter
• The #2020Election is an opportunity to raise your voice as a #FaithfulVoter, ensure your congregation and neighbors are registered to vote, and provide them with the resources to find their correct polling places. Let’s make sure every vote is counted!
• As a #FaithfulVoter, I am committed to voting and ensuring that my community not only registers but makes a plan to vote in the #2020Election. We must ensure a democracy that honors the dignity people. Being a #FaithfulVoter means protecting our nation with our vote to create systemic change.
• Now, more than ever, it is critical that we use our vote as our voice and claim our power in the #2020Election. As people of faith, we must vote and ensure our neighbors and community members vote for justice, faith and respect for humanity.  #FaithfulVoter
• To strengthen our communities, we need to build our collective power. We can do that through registering to vote, ensuring our congregation is registered to vote and making a voter plan for the #2020Election.
• Looking for resources to #GOTV in your faith community? The #FaithfulVoter Toolkit has sermons, scripture, talkingpoints, social media, and more! Start engaging your community and check out http://fpl.actionkit.com/sign/fv-toolkit-2020/

Use and share these graphics on your organizational and individual social media accounts. Remember to use the #FaithfulVoter hashtag! Click here to download these graphics

Placing an Op-Ed in a local news outlet (online or in print) is an effective way to reach a large and broad audience. Write what is true to you and your community; be specific and use examples that are timely and relevant. Use the op-ed outline below to get started:

1. Begin by sharing your faith values – community, justice, love of neighbor as a motive for encouraging all people to vote in the 2020 election. Remind the reader that voting is an act of faith.
2. Share tangible and specific ways the 2020 election will affect your everyday lives, and give examples. If writing for a specific city or group, include why it's important for them.
3. Make the point that the election is a core function of our democracy and every person should vote. Everyone deserves fair representation in government. Include that historically our government has not allowed all citizens (eg. African Americans, Native Americans) to vote, and now is our opportunity to build justice and equality.
4. Include statistics on communities who have had significantly low voter turnout in past elections in your area and the impact that has on their lives and the community overall.
5. Assure that everyone can still vote even with the Covid-19 pandemic. Check your local election board to see what voting options are available (in-person, by mail, early voting).
6. End with an uplifting tone that we should all vote and that future generations depend on it.

Team up with a local radio station to let everyone know that they should vote in the 2020 election. Use the scripts below as a basis for your message. Remember to say what is true to you and your community. Be specific and use examples that are timely and relevant, and include faith values if appropriate.

Here are some examples from the National Association of Broadcasters:

• It’s never been easier to vote. So get registered, get educated and get to the polls. No more excuses. To find your polling place or request a mail-in ballot visit (STATE ELECTION URL or vote.org.)  [10 seconds]
• Your vote is your voice. And it has the power to make our democracy stronger. Vote in the presidential election on Tuesday, November 3, and let your voice be heard. [10 seconds]
• Our democracy is a government of the people, for the people. Let’s keep it that way. Vote in the presidential election on November 3. Get registered. Learn the issues. Cast your vote. It’s that simple. [15 seconds]
• Too many people sit on the sidelines on election day. You can help change that. Don’t just vote in the elections – vote and talk about it. Send a text. Call your friends. Post on Facebook. Tweet about it. Share your enthusiasm. It’s contagious. [20 seconds]