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Today's charge
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Churches to November 3
68 days to show up for our communities.
Churches have an important role to play between now and Election Day. This hub gives your congregation practical ways to help: adopt a precinct, help neighbors make a plan to vote, and make sure people know where to turn if they run into a problem.
Get started →10Sundays left to gather the congregation
19Text and phone nights on the calendar
Welcome
Our churches have always been at their best when we put our faith to work.
In the weeks ahead, I'm asking you to bring your congregation together, reach your neighbors, and make sure everyone in our communities has what they need to vote.
Everything here is designed to help you get started. Let's get to work.
Pastor Michael McBrideJustice Revivals GOTV Toolkit
Today's word
How to use this
A new passage, reflection, and charge appear here every morning from now through Election Day.
Read it in your team's group message, print it in the bulletin, or open your Tuesday and Thursday nights with it. The copy button formats it for you.
Adopt a precinct
Choose a polling place your church can support through Election Day. Recruit members to work the polls, organize meals for election workers, and identify trained volunteers who can observe and report problems. Here's how to get started.
Find your precinct
Enter an address and get the assigned polling place. Start here so your church knows exactly which precinct it is working.
Look it up ↗ In Georgia you can also use the Secretary of State's My Voter Page at mvp.sos.ga.gov.Check your registration
Confirm you are registered at your current address. Have every volunteer check their own before they ask anyone else to check theirs.
Check now ↗ Share this link at the door, on calls, and in every text.Register to vote
For anyone who is not registered, has moved, or has changed their name. Takes a few minutes on a phone.
Register ↗ Check your state's deadline before you plan a registration push.Canvass your precinct
Walking the precinct is the most direct thing your congregation can do. A conversation at the door reaches people that a phone or a text never will.
- Build the list first. Start with your own membership roll, then the streets around the church. Note who has moved in recently, since they are the most likely to need a registration update.
- Go out in pairs. Send a new volunteer with an experienced one. Saturday mornings and early evenings reach the most people at home.
- Keep the ask short. Confirm the address, check registration on the spot with a phone, share the polling place, and ask when they plan to go.
- Write everything down. Barriers, rides needed, wrong addresses, and anyone who wants a follow-up call. Enter it the same day.
Talk about the election, the offices, and the deadlines. Do not talk about candidates or parties, and do not carry anything with a candidate's name on it.
Phone bank your precinct
Calls and texts cover the households a canvass cannot reach, and they give members who cannot walk a route a real way to serve.
- Use the same list. Everyone the canvass missed, plus anyone who asked to be called back. The two efforts should feed each other.
- Two nights a week. Texts on Tuesday, calls on Thursday. The schedule below stays the same through Election Day so nobody has to remember a new one.
- Send the links. The registration and verification links above should go out in every text and be read aloud on every call.
- Close with a plan. Where they vote, when they are going, and who is taking them. A plan spoken out loud is what turns into a vote.
Follow your state's rules for text and call outreach, keep an easy way for people to opt out, and honor it the first time they ask.
What to do now
By September 30
Pick the precinct and build the list
Look up the polling place, then decide which streets your church is taking. Pull together:
- Your membership roll, sorted by street
- The blocks immediately around the church
- Anyone who has moved in the last two years
- Members who cannot walk a route but can call
Then name who is coordinating the canvass and who is coordinating the calls.
October 1–17
Get volunteers trained and out the door
Walk your team through the script, the registration links, and what to do when someone is not registered. Start Saturday canvasses and hold the Tuesday and Thursday nights every week without exception.
During early voting
Turn plans into trips
Go back to everyone who made a plan and help them keep it. Match rides to riders, remind people of early voting hours, and reach the households the canvass missed.
Election Day
Confirm and follow through
Call everyone who said they were going. Confirm the polling place, the time, and the ride. Keep the hotline numbers handy for anyone who runs into a problem.
If someone runs into a problem
Share this with every volunteer before Election Day, and make sure the neighbors you talk with know they can call the church. In each case the job is to pay attention, take clear notes, and report the concern through the appropriate channel rather than trying to resolve it on the spot.
Long lines
Keep track of approximately how long people are waiting and when the delay began. Note anything you can observe that may be contributing to the wait, then report the concern through the appropriate election protection or election administration channel.
A voter appears to be turned away
Do not intervene in the conversation. Write down what you observed, including the time and location, and contact the election protection hotline for guidance.
Questions about voter ID
If you are concerned that incorrect information is being given about identification requirements, do not argue with election workers. Note what you heard or observed and report it through the appropriate channel.
Voting equipment is not working
Note when you first observed the problem, what equipment appears to be affected, and whether it is causing delays. Report it through the election protection hotline or to election officials.
A voter is being challenged or questioned
Do not step into the interaction. Record what you observe and contact the appropriate election protection hotline.
Campaign activity near the polling place
Rules about campaign activity near polling places vary by state. Know the rules for your location and report anything that appears to violate them. Church volunteers should also keep all of their activity nonpartisan and candidate-free.
Accessibility problems
Pay attention to accessible entrances, signage, and other accommodations. If you notice a problem, document it and report it through the appropriate channel.
Incorrect polling place information
If a polling location appears to have moved or the posted hours seem incorrect, check the official election information for your area. Report any discrepancy to election officials or the election protection hotline.
Problems with a ballot drop box
If a drop box appears to be locked, full, damaged, or unavailable when it should be open, document what you observe and report it to election officials or the election protection hotline. Use official election resources to help voters find information about other approved voting options.
Election protection hotlines
- English866-687-8683
- Spanish888-839-8682
- Asian languages888-274-8683
- Arabic844-925-5287
- County elections officeAdd your number
Claim your precinct
Tell us which polling place your church is supporting and who will coordinate the work.
Tuesday texts,
Thursday calls
Two nights each week through Election Day. The schedule stays the same so everyone knows when and where to show up.
Tuesday
Text-a-thon · 6:00–8:00 p.m.
- 6:00Devotion and the week's scripture.
- 6:10Quick walkthrough of the texting platform and the evening's script.
- 6:20Start texting. Pair new volunteers with someone who can answer questions.
- 7:30Review replies and questions. Captains can help with anything related to ID or eligibility.
- 7:50Share the evening's numbers, one testimony, and a closing prayer.
Bring a charged phone, a laptop if you have one, and headphones.
Great for youth, working members, and anyone who prefers texting to calling.
Thursday
Phone bank · 6:30–8:30 p.m.
- 6:30Food and fellowship.
- 6:45Devotion followed by two practice calls together.
- 7:00Begin calling, with a short break halfway through.
- 8:10Log transportation needs, barriers, and voters who need follow-up.
- 8:25Report back and close in prayer.
Bring a charged phone, headphones, and anything you need to call comfortably.
Great for anyone who enjoys talking with neighbors and helping people make a plan.
The script
OpeningGood evening, my name is ___ and I'm calling from ___ Church here in the neighborhood. This is a nonpartisan call. We're reaching out to make sure our neighbors have the information they need to vote on November 3. Do you have a minute?
Make a planDo you know where you vote? Have you thought about when you plan to go? Do you need help with transportation or anything else that could make it easier?
“I'm not registered.”No problem. I can share your state's registration deadline and information on how to check your status. Can I text that to you now?
“My vote doesn't matter.”I understand. There are a lot of reasons people feel that way. Local offices like sheriff, school board, and district attorney can have a direct impact on our communities. I'd be happy to send you information about what will be on your ballot so you can take a look for yourself.
“Who should I vote for?”That decision is completely yours. As a church, we don't tell anyone who to support. What we can do is share nonpartisan information about the candidates, offices, and measures on your ballot.
CloseThank you for your time. If you need help on Election Day, whether it's a ride, information, or help navigating a problem at the polls, give us a call. We'll be here.
Host it at
your church
Two gatherings designed to be easy to host with your own congregation and in your own space.
Host a justice revival
A justice revival brings worship, community, and civic participation together. The goal is simple: name what our communities are facing, ground the conversation in our faith, and give everyone a meaningful way to participate before they leave.
Keep the program focused and welcoming.
- 0:00
Praise and welcome
Open with two songs the congregation knows and loves.
- 0:15
The testimony
Invite one neighbor to share a personal story about something affecting the community. Keep it to about five minutes.
- 0:25
The word
Preach the text and connect it to what people are experiencing today. Isaiah 58 and Nehemiah 2 are strong places to begin.
- 0:50
Name the stakes
Spend a few minutes explaining what is on the local ballot, what different offices are responsible for, and how those decisions affect the community. Keep it factual and nonpartisan.
- 1:00
The call to participate
Give people an immediate opportunity to get involved. Have voter registration information, precinct sign-ups, volunteer opportunities, and ride pledges available in the room.
- 1:20
Commissioning
Recognize your precinct captains and volunteers by name. Close in prayer and make sure everyone leaves knowing the next date and how to stay connected.
Promotion countdown
- Four weeks outConfirm the date, preacher, and testimony. Add the event to the bulletin and church calendar.
- Three weeks outInvite neighboring congregations to join or co-host.
- Two weeks outShare flyers with local businesses and community gathering places, including barbershops, salons, laundromats, and school pickup.
- One week outMake an announcement during services and personally invite ministry leaders and members.
- Two days outSend a text reminder to the church list. Confirm sound, seating, and childcare.
- Night ofOpen the doors thirty minutes early and have your welcome and registration tables ready.
Room checklist
- Registration table with two volunteers and plenty of pens
- Precinct map with adopted precincts marked
- Nonpartisan ballot guides for attendees
- Sign-up sheets for Tuesday texts and Thursday calls
- Childcare in a separate room, clearly announced
- One person responsible for attendance and sign-ups
- Follow-up with everyone who signs up within 48 hours
Get-out-the-vote Sunday dinner
Sunday dinner gives people a familiar, welcoming place to make their voting plans together. By the end of the meal, everyone should know where and when they plan to vote, whether they need a ride, and who they can contact if they need help.
- Before
Set eight to a table
Mix generations and ministries. Place one trained volunteer at each table to serve as the host.
- 0:00
Grace and the ask
The pastor blesses the food and shares the one action you want everyone to take. Keep it brief, then enjoy the meal.
- 0:20
Table cards
Place three questions at every seat:
- Where do you vote?
- When are you going?
- Who are you taking with you?
- 0:40
Ride board
Set up a board with two columns: needs a ride, and can drive.
Match people before they leave whenever possible.
- 0:55
First-time voters
Create a table where first-time voters and anyone who needs additional help can check their registration information and ask questions.
- 1:10
Count and commission
Share what the congregation accomplished together: plans made, rides arranged, volunteers signed up, and precincts covered. Close in prayer.
Kitchen and logistics
- Plan your head count based on the last dinner, plus about 30 percent
- Choose food that serves easily and holds well
- Prepare plates for people who need to leave early
- Put table cards and pens out before service
- Place the ride board near the exit
- Have a laptop or tablet available for registration information
- Assign one person to collect and enter sign-up information that evening
Souls to the polls, November 1
If Sunday early voting is available in your state, your final dinner can become a trip to the polls.
- Confirm Sunday voting hours ahead of time
- Arrange vans and drivers, with backups
- Announce the departure time during both services
- Bring water and seating for anyone who may need it
- Keep all materials and activity nonpartisan and candidate-free
- Follow up with riders afterward to make sure everyone was able to vote
The playlist
Fifteen songs for the phone bank, the revival, the fellowship hall, and the ride to the polls.
- Nobody GreaterVaShawn Mitchell
- We Shall Not Be MovedMavis Staples
- The Battle Is the Lord'sYolanda Adams
- Shackles (Praise You)Mary Mary
- OptimisticSounds of Blackness
- For My GoodJudah Band
- RevolutionKirk Franklin
- Movin' OnJonathan McReynolds and Mali Music
- All Things Get BetterGeoffrey Golden
- A Great WorkBrian Courtney Wilson
- Worth Fighting ForBrian Courtney Wilson
- Encourage YourselfDonald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers
- I Need You to SurviveHezekiah Walker
- Total PraiseRichard Smallwood
- GloryCommon and John Legend
Keep the playlist candidate-free, the same as everything else your church hands out this season. If your musicians are playing any of these live, check that your congregation's performance license covers it.
What a church can
and cannot do
Churches can play an important role in helping people participate in our democracy while remaining nonpartisan. Here is a simple overview of what churches can do and where the lines are. This is general information, not legal advice. If you have questions about a specific activity, consult counsel.
Yes
Churches can
- Register voters
- Educate people about issues, ballot measures, and the responsibilities of elected offices
- Organize nonpartisan voter turnout efforts, rides, calls, and texts
- Host candidate forums when candidates are invited on equal terms
- Preach about justice, poverty, safety, and other issues important to the congregation
- Distribute nonpartisan voter guides
- Advocate for legislation within applicable limits
No
As a church, you cannot
- Endorse or oppose candidates
- Use church resources to support a campaign
- Distribute materials designed to favor one candidate or party
- Give one candidate preferential access or treatment
- Coordinate your voter turnout operation with a campaign
- Condition transportation, food, assistance, or any church service on how someone votes