Voter turnout continues to decline during the non-presidential elections, and Greg Davis at Alabama Citizens Action Program wants to change the statistics.
As ALCAP’s president, he frequently mentions the importance of voting as he travels across the state and has increasingly intensified his message as the Nov. 3 general election nears.
Davis wants churches to come alongside him in the effort, so ALCAP recently launched a statewide nonpartisan campaign urging Alabamians to vote in the Nov. 3 election.
Bulletin insert
The campaign offers a free double-sided bulletin insert for churches to use. The digital file can be downloaded and printed or ALCAP staff can mail printouts to the church.
Time is of the essence, though, Davis said. Consider providing the bulletin inserts titled “Pray. Prepare. Vote.” each Sunday now leading up to the election. The inserts do not make recommendations for how to vote, strictly focus on the reasons to vote and outline which offices are on the ballot.
“The materials name no candidate and no political party. ALCAP does not endorse candidates or parties.”
National figures from recent elections indicate roughly half of self-identified Christians do not cast a ballot in a given election, Davis noted.
“It is important for Bible-believing Christian people to vote their values,” he said. “Your vote does matter, and collectively our vote makes the difference. Between now and Nov. 3, please pray, prepare and vote.”
The insert presents four reasons ALCAP describes as grounds for Christian civic participation — spiritual, civic, prayerful and caring responsibilities. Each is tied to Scripture. Its reverse side lists every office on the Nov. 3 ballot, from U.S. Senate through county school boards, along with the statewide constitutional amendments of note.
School amendments
Two of those amendments concern public schools, Davis said.
Amendment 3 would require daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in public K–12 schools and permit student-initiated, student-led prayer.
Amendment 4 would require weekly broadcast or performance of the first stanza of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“Half the people we are trying to reach are already in a pew on Sunday morning,” Davis said. “We did not need to find them. We needed to hand their pastor something to give them.”
The bulletin, a sample ballot, social media graphics and voter registration information are available at alcap.com/vote.
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