[10-22-04]

From the Washington Office of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

This message is designed for African American Churches, but there is no reason why others can not also acknowledge this event and activities. Please pass it on to other clergy who might find it useful. Also remember that we have our Christian And Citizen Election Year Packet on the web site of the Washington Office at www.pcusa.org/washington and there is also the National Council of Churches material at www.ncccusa.org . There is bound to be something to meet your needs regarding this important civic responsibility of voting.

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PROTECT OUR VOTE SUNDAY

On Sunday, October 31, African American clergy across the country are asked to proclaim Protect Our Vote Sunday. Congregations are encouraged to verify in advance polling places (this is especially important with all the reports of increased security and potential terrorist threats prompting some cities to change voting sites), what is needed to take to the polling places (identification, voter registration cards), and to not go alone but take five (neighbors, friends, family members, sisters and brothers in Christ).

RESOURCE

The National Coalition will provide to you church fans to distribute. The fans will have valuable information on them including the telephone number to immediately report any problems. If you would like to have fans sent to your church, please call or email me, or contact the office of the National Coalition at 202-659-4929 and ask for Willa or Kirk.

VOTER PROTECTION HOTLINE

The toll-free hotline, 1-866-OUR-VOTE, offers immediate assistance to voters who encounter problems at the polls. Lawyers and law students who have been trained to answer pre-election and Election Day problems, including registration and polling place location, staff the hotline thanks to friends such as the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law.

WHAT PASTORS CAN DO

(1) Publish a pastor's Protect Our Vote Sunday in your church bulletin;

(2) Encourage members of your congregation to vote and to verify the location of before Election Day [see www.unity04.net for the telephone number to local election offices and possible polling places] and if necessary learn the type of voting machines to be used;

(3) Inform members/voters that lines will be long this election is too important, and we ve come too far, for us to be anything but patient;

(4) Allow distribution of non-partisan voter education material [for more information on what religious institutions can and cannot do, please see the guide provided by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life at www.pewforum.org A Guide to the Internal Revenue Code]; and,

(5) Be available to speak to the media about how African American people of faith, members of your congregation, are protecting voting rights.

Black Ministers Promote Politics and the Pew

Protect Our Vote Sunday - October 31st (Last Sunday Before Election Day)

On the last Sunday before Election Day, Unity '04 will host a "Protect Our Vote Sunday" convened by Dr. Dorothy Height, President Emerita of the National Council of Negro Women and Rev. Joseph Lowery, President Emeritus of the Black Leadership Forum. This national effort is geared toward our Black Churches and other religious institutions to mobilize and educate our community. Throughout the day, ministers will speak on election protection, voting myths versus facts, and remind the congregation of the power of our vote and our voice. Church fans will include state specific voters' bills of rights, the 1- 866-OUR-VOTE hotline number, and any local numbers as informational pieces. From the mountain tops to the valley low the message "Voting gives you a voice. Voting gives you power" will be ringing loud and clear.

To participate, please contact 202-659-4929.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO JUST BE REGISTERED!...Get Out the Vote & Protect Our Vote

Thank you for your attention. Please pass this information on to your colleagues and don t forget to take five with you on November 2 to VOTE! In His name .

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Rev. Elenora Giddings Ivory
Director, Washington Office
Presbyterian Church (USA)
202-543-1126

110 Maryland Avenue, NE, Suite 104
Washington, DC 20002