Do You Feel a Stirring to do Something More?
I’ve mentioned many times that I believe God speaks to us through his word in the Bible, through prayer, through circumstances, and through people. When I prayed for career direction back in 2011, God led me to iVoterGuide through a series of these “breadcrumbs.” (My, how time has flown!)
You’re reading this email because God has called you, too, to be a faithful steward of these beloved United States. With so much at stake in our nation right now, do you feel a stirring to do something more than vote? Our mission at iVoterGuide is to help you cast an informed vote. But if you’re eager to do more, we’ve got some ideas:
Register Voters and Get Out the Vote
Millions of eligible voters are missing from America’s political decision-making process. Nearly one out of every two Christians who are eligible to vote do not consistently cast a ballot—especially in primary elections. When it comes to the party primaries, only about 20 percent of registered voters take time to cast a ballot.
Based on these facts, imagine the impact of holding a registration drive at just one church, neighborhood, or organization. Once registered, people are more likely to take the next step and vote. In some states, you can apply to become a deputy voter registrar who collects and submits completed registration forms. Other states do not provide a deputy registrar program, but they provide the forms needed for registration drives. Contact your county elections office to find out how you can help register voters in your state. At iVoterGuide, we offer some promotional tools to further assist you.
Besides voter registration, you can encourage people to vote. We offer iVoterGuide flyers specifically designed for churches and neighborhoods. Most people are aware of national elections, but state and local races can have even more impact on the policies that affect your community.
Reinforce Election Integrity by Working the Polls
Accountability is key to an honest election. Volunteer poll watchers observe the voting process at polling locations. They make sure election workers observe and enforce the law and that no illegal campaigning takes place. Also called an election observer, poll watcher duties may include:
- Alerting election officials to potential errors or violations in the voting process
- Documenting observations and reporting any incidents
- Observing the setup and dismantling of election equipment
- Monitoring how ballots are handled
Poll watchers may be appointed by a political candidate or party and might be needed at locations where ballots are counted (not only where the voting takes place). Visit the United States Election Assistance Commission to find out how to apply in your county.
Additionally, you can sign up to be an election worker here through the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. You may be paid a nominal wage for your service, and training is usually provided through your county elections office. Your duties may include:
- Setting up (and packing up) voting equipment at the polling location
- Making sure voters are registered in the county in which they are voting
- Guarding against electioneering (illegal campaigning) at the polling location
- Transporting ballots and election equipment back to your county elections office (a major responsibility!)
By working at a local polling location on election day, you help protect the right to vote and safeguard election integrity. It’s also a great chance to meet your neighbors! Don’t delay—official training is required for these roles, and classes may be starting soon.
But remember, as you go—stay prayerful.
I want to encourage you with this scripture from Colossians 4:2-6: Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ … Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.