The Office of Government Relations has created a comprehensive suite of resources for advocacy, the U.S. Election, and 2020 Census engagement. Central to election engagement are the “Vote Faithfully” resources built up over the course of several election cycles and in coalition with ecumenical partners. These resources are designed for use year-round, emphasizing messaging that is non-partisan and informed.

As the United States gets closer to Election Day, November 3rd, The Episcopal Church will continue to release new resources, including an ongoing educational series on the basics of the election process and transition of power, four bulletin inserts from Sermons That Work focused on voter engagement and written for the readings on the four Sundays leading up to Election Day, and A Season of Prayer: For an Election, a novena prayer series developed with Forward Movement.

Other resources include a Plan Your Vote guide, toolkit for supporting others in your community to vote, a tool for recognizing and combatting disinformation and misinformation, and much more.

The Office of Government Relations, and members of the Episcopal Public Policy Network, have also continued advocacy through Action Alerts, direct meetings with Congressional offices, and sign-on letters, pushing for additional funding for the election given the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Office of Government Relations carries out this work in collaboration with other faith-based and secular organizations through both official partnerships, like with Faithful Democracy, National Voter Registration Day, and National Vote Early Day, and less formal collaborations on election and advocacy messaging. 

To explore these resources, begin at the Office of Government Relations’ Civic Engagement page, or visit the links provided below. 

• Vote Faithfully Election Engagement Toolkit
  Released in February 2020, and revised to accommodate COVID-19 precautions, this toolkit helps Episcopalians prepare for the election.
• Plan Your Vote
  Research shows that having a plan to vote increases the likelihood of voting. Use this guide to create your voting plan.
• Vote Faithfully swag
  Stickers, magnets and pins are available for order in English and Spanish. Contact Office of Government Relations for information.
• Faith and Citizenship Guide: A Guide to Effective Advocacy for Episcopalians
  This updated guide provides concrete suggestions for how to engage in advocacy, during election and non-election years.
• Poll worker recruitment
  This year, there is significant concern of a lack of poll workers because of the risk of COVID-19 and the history of the majority of poll workers coming from older, thus higher-risk demographics. We are encouraging those in lower-risk categories, and comfortable with this work, to become a poll worker!
• Voting while experiencing homelessness
  A brief resource highlighting specific tips for voting while homeless
• Election Series
  Follow this series on the 2020 Census and future elections, election security, transition of power, and more.
• Bulletin inserts from Sermons That Work
  Guest writers from throughout The Episcopal Church have prepared reflections for the four Sundays leading up to Election Day on November 3rd.
• Season of Prayer: For an Election
  Prayer is action. Join other Episcopalians in a prayer novena developed by Forward Movement to encourage prayerful reflection throughout the days around Election Day.

From the Reconciliation, Justice, and Creation Care Team:

• From The Pew to the Public Square
  New resources for Episcopalians taking up Presiding Bishop Curry’s charge for Episcopal faith communities to live out our public witness and sacred values. “From The Pew to the Public Square” provides quick coaching in moral agency, discernment, and decision making for social and community social change. Download From The Pew To the Public Square Resource Booklet covering 5 Ways Episcopalians can make social change.
• Protest Chaplaincy Training and Discussion on Faithful Civil Action
  For a deeper dive in using the Pew to the Public Square tools for social change, register for the upcoming webinar on October 6th 4:00 pm EST/3:00 pm CST.
• Voting Our Creation Care Values
  Practice care of creation by engaging in the election process with these resources on creation care and the 2020 election.

About the Office of Government Relations:

The Office of Government Relations represents the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C. We aim to shape and influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. All policy positions are based on General Convention and Executive Council resolutions, the legislative and governing bodies of the Church.