Along with a number of other faith based bodies, the National Council of Churches hopes to encourage participation of faith based people and institutions during this election year in a number of voter education and registration efforts, while eschewing any partisan role. In doing so, the NCC will to build upon a long and proud history of the Council in such efforts.  

The Council is in communication with a number of groups who are engaged in voter education and registration efforts and will be happy to put you in touch with these groups if you would like to encourage your constituents to become involved. These groups include, among others, a faith-based effort entitled Faithful Democracy and a long-standing voter project, Project Vote, which is eager to work with faith based bodies in voter education and registration work. 

On February 4, a number of faith-based bodies will announce their voter registration plans at a Washington, D.C., press conference. During this press conference, the faith groups related to this effort will share their voter education and registration plans.

Then on March 4, again in Washington D.C., the Faithful Democracy coalition will come together to announce and celebrate a “roll out” of its voter education and registration program. (Additional details of the March 4 event will be shared in February).  

Representatives of Project Vote were present in Jackson, Miss., at the General Assembly to invite the NCC to cooperation. Following that gathering, the NCC, in cooperation with ACORN, applied for funds to support Project Vote faith based efforts. We will keep you abreast of these efforts as well.

For more information, or to offer your suggestions relating to voter education and registration efforts during this election year, please contact Paul Sherry, coordinator of the NCC's Poverty Mobilization: 212 870 2361; Psher973@aol.com

January 2004