In The NEWS
2024
To schedule interviews, please contact:
Dr. Zina Pierre at zpierre64@gmail.com
November 5, 2024 | ‘Poll Chaplains’ help keep the peace at polls across 10 states
Organized by Faiths United to Save Democracy (FUSD) — a nonpartisan and multi-faith organization — pastors, imams, rabbis and clergy known as “poll chaplains” and “peacekeepers” are present at polling stations in 10 states: North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, Florida, Alabama, Arizona, Wisconsin and Michigan.
November 4, 2024 | Poll chaplains and peacekeepers nationwide prepare to serve worried electorate
On Nov. 5, as United Presbyterian Church in Cleburne, Texas, becomes a polling place for registered voters in Johnson County, Don Fisher will be one of four people from the church’s security team supporting the Cleburne Police Department and county election officials’ efforts to maintain peace and order on election day.
November 4, 2024 | On Tuesday, look for the poll chaplains and the peacekeepers
(RNS) — Voter protection and even safety is increasingly an issue in our upcoming election. A Brennan Center poll of local election officials released on May 1, 2024, said “a vast majority have taken steps since 2020 to protect voters, election workers, and election infrastructure from threats and violence in 2024.”
November 4, 2024 | Our Polling Places, an Ungodly Mess
While there are many clergy members organizing around this year’s election, the largest appears to be the coalition created by Sojourners and Faiths United to Save Democracy, which trains and then sends clergy (pastors, rabbis, imams, etc.) to swing state polling sites on Election Day.
October 27, 2024 | Poll chaplains' national mission: To protect the 'sacred right' to vote
(USATODAY) — On Election Day 2024, the Rev. Dontá McGilvery plans to be outside an Arizona polling place, doing his damnedest to save American democracy from going to hell.
“The chaos is increasing the closer we get to election day,” he said. “We are called by God to do justice, and as clergy that means to put yourself in the midst of where the potential chaos is.”
October 24, 2024 | Faith leaders unite to mobilize and protect voters
Many people are feeling the weight of the presidential election, often carrying concerns about violence at their polling place. This election will be a test of our democracy and our faith, which is why early planning and even more robust strategic engagement by the faith community has been critical.
October 22, 2024 | 'God's Will Be Done': Voters Highlight the Importance of Prayer Ahead of 2024 Presidential Election
Fifty-eight percent of Americans say religion is important in determining who they will support for president, according to a Religion News Service (RNS) poll. Even more of them revealed that faith helps them deal with the stress and uncertainty surrounding the election.
October 18, 2024 | Hope, Help & Healing Through the Ballot
This session, designed with faith leaders and community members in mind, is vital to our nonpartisan efforts to promote voter turnout and ensure a fair and just election process
October 18, 2024 | Souls Guarding Polls: How Church Volunteers Will Make Voting Safe
A nonpartisan, multi-racial, interfaith organization, FUSD is an organization designed to help and protect voters on Election Day. It dispatches trained, non-partisan volunteers — poll chaplains — to help ensure free and unhindered access to the polls for members of vulnerable communities.
September 30, 2024 | Voting rights advocate Barbara Williams-Skinner thrives on prayer and policy changes
When the Rev. Barbara Williams-Skinner celebrated her 80th birthday late last year with a party at the headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women near the National Mall in Washington, she asked for no presents.
September 28, 2024 | Faith organizations declare voting as a responsibility for believers
For many generations, Christians have been encouraged to participate in the political system in spite of the “Be in the world, but not of the world” scripture used by many to remain aloof. The Black church, especially, has been the center of prayer and protest, and of Jesus and justice.
September 5, 2024 | Two Opposing Governors Endorse One Message: Have Faith in Elections
Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, leading the Faiths United to Save Democracy campaign, is mobilizing hundreds of poll chaplains in key battleground states. “Faith leaders have a unique position of trust in their communities. We are using that trust to ensure that every voter feels safe, informed, and empowered when they cast their ballot,” she says.
July 18, 2024 | Voter protection training begins as clergy, secular groups look toward election
Faith leaders are making plans to provide a de-escalating presence at the polls months ahead of another deeply contested presidential election in an increasingly polarized country.
July 17, 2024 | Voter protection training begins as clergy, secular groups look toward election
(RNS) — Faith leaders are making plans to provide a de-escalating presence at the polls months ahead of another deeply contested presidential election in an increasingly polarized country.
July 12, 2024 | After Debate, Black Churchgoers Often Support but Begin to Question Biden
(RNS) — With President Joe Biden sitting over his right shoulder, Bishop J. Louis Felton made it clear as he stood in his Philadelphia pulpit how he felt about the continuing candidacy of his guest.
PRESS RELEASE: For Tuesday, July 16th, 2024
MEDIA ADVISORY: For Monday, Jan 15th, 2024
2022
U.S. tensions are high. Chaplains at the polls tried to keep peace.
They were on hand to offer spiritual guidance, calm and bipartisan assistance at polling stations in 10 battleground states on Tuesday
Faith leaders to be stationed at polling sites across North Texas on Election Day
Fears of voter intimidation and violence have never surrounded an Election Day more than the one coming Tuesday – it's why faith...
Poll chaplains: 'Calming peacekeepers,' to help voters at Election Day sites
Poll chaplains plan to be at voting sites across the country, including North Carolina on Midterm Election Day.
Seeking to bring peace, ensure justice, clergy prepare to stand watch at the polls
Along with elections workers and poll watchers, Wisconsin voters may encounter faith leaders when they go to the polls...
Faith group deploys Election Day chaplains
Those participating are trained on how to de-escalate an argument and educate voters on voting laws in the state...
From Clergy to Veterans, Volunteers Rally To Fight Voter Intimidation
On Friday, federal authorities issued an internal bulletin that warned of the potential for violence from domestic extremists...
This Phoenix pastor wants more clergy to help ensure peaceful elections in Arizona
A group called Faiths United to Save Democracy is looking to recruit 2,000 clergy members in a handful of states, including Arizona, to "promote peaceful and safe elections for all voters."
2020
Waller Leading by Example
Organized under the brands of 2020 Turnout Sunday and Lawyers & Collars Campaign, the effort has recruited “poll chaplains” ...
Lawyers and Collars team up on Election Day in Charlotte
On Election Day 2020, a group called Lawyers and Collars sent ministers to polls in Mecklenburg County ....
Poll chaplains to stand watch across the state on Election Day
It’s a divide motivating hundreds of faith-based leaders to bring calm to polling locations across the state.
Poll watchers in Alabama report massive turnout, long waits and machine shortages
One observer spoke to multiple people in long lines who vowed that they are ready to wait all night if they have to.
Faith leaders play election peacemakers, at polls and beyond
Webster, an organizer with the progressive group Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, is part of a broader network of faith leaders...
Meet the "poll chaplains" hoping to keep the peace at the polls on Nov. 3
Hale and hundreds of other members of the clergy have been trained as part of a nonpartisan initiative called Lawyers and Collars..
Acting on faith to protect voters and the vote
Church groups prepare to ward off suppression at the ballot box, and to resist attempts to overthrow the election
Polling places prepare as ban on open carry on Election Day brings mixed reactions
Polling places prepare as ban on open carry on Election Day brings mixed reactions
Clergy, lawyers to team up as poll watchdogs on Election Day
Attorneys and clergy in Arizona are teaming up to keep voter suppression in check.