Wisconsin interfaith voter engagement campaign
Wisconsin Council of Churches (WCC) and Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice (WFVJ) are partnering to engage the interfaith community more fully in the democratic process. The purpose of WIVEC is to increase voter engagement and participation by working in partnership with faith communities and public interest organizations to strengthen voters’ rights and their ability to participate in civic life.
Now in its second year, WIVEC is committed to educating voters on their rights, improving access to the documents needed for voting as well as to the polls themselves, and encouraging voters to hold elected officials accountable. It is our belief that engaging in this work will build increased understanding and stronger ties among different faith communities; increase engagement in the electoral process; and result in a greater understanding by faith communities of the influential role they can play in the public square.
WIVEC’s network reaches a broad range of faith communities, including Christian, Jewish, Unitarian, Muslim, Baha’i, Quaker, Buddhist and Sikh Through our partners, we reach African American, Latinx, and Hmong communities and we commit to reaching out to even more. Additionally, we connect with voting rights and other community organizations, including those serving communities of color and underserved populations, and both urban and rural localities across the state. As an interfaith campaign, we provide opportunities for people of faith to explore what civic engagement means in their own and other faith traditions, and how faith communities can participate in election year activities and work for public policies that serve the common good and address the needs of the marginalized.
Here’s how you can be involved:
Volunteers in every part of the state are needed for nonpartisan voter engagement activities. During the current health crisis, most activities have been moved online, such as:
On this webinar, you can hear Wisconsin faith leaders, voting activists, and local elected officials give their answers. Featuring Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes
To see the recording of this webinar, click here
For further information about the Campaign and how you can get involved, contact Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, Executive Director of WFVJ, or WCC's Justice and Witness Coordinator, Peter Bakken.
Now in its second year, WIVEC is committed to educating voters on their rights, improving access to the documents needed for voting as well as to the polls themselves, and encouraging voters to hold elected officials accountable. It is our belief that engaging in this work will build increased understanding and stronger ties among different faith communities; increase engagement in the electoral process; and result in a greater understanding by faith communities of the influential role they can play in the public square.
WIVEC’s network reaches a broad range of faith communities, including Christian, Jewish, Unitarian, Muslim, Baha’i, Quaker, Buddhist and Sikh Through our partners, we reach African American, Latinx, and Hmong communities and we commit to reaching out to even more. Additionally, we connect with voting rights and other community organizations, including those serving communities of color and underserved populations, and both urban and rural localities across the state. As an interfaith campaign, we provide opportunities for people of faith to explore what civic engagement means in their own and other faith traditions, and how faith communities can participate in election year activities and work for public policies that serve the common good and address the needs of the marginalized.
Here’s how you can be involved:
- Join WIVEC’s Network. We maintain an email list of 400-plus individuals in Madison, Milwaukee, Racine/Kenosha, and Green Bay areas, as well as across the state. A weekly e-mail includes news and information about upcoming elections; volunteer opportunities to help get out the vote; legislative alerts; and resources and events relating to elections, voting, public policy advocacy, and other aspects of civic engagement. You can share this information within your congregations and other social networks as a trusted messenger of reliable and relevant information for your community. To join our network, email garlock@wichurches.org
- Become a WIVEC Partner. We have formal partnerships with congregations, community groups, and other organizations to share information, recruit volunteers for voter engagement activities, and promote events. We gather partners and other groups for occasional web meetings to network and explore possibilities for mutual support and collaboration. Contact Rabbi Bonnie Margulis or Peter Bakken (info below) and we can draw up a simple Memorandum of Understanding with your group.
- Attend and Promote WIVEC Webinars and other Events. We offer online opportunities for learning and conversation about upcoming elections, the history of voting rights and voter suppression, updates on voting litigation and legislation, multi-faith perspectives on civic engagement, advocacy trainings, do’s and don’ts for lobbying and election-year activities by faith communities, and more. We will resume in-person events when safe.
- Visit Our Website and Youtube Channel, and Follow Us on Facebook for information, resources, event notices, webinar recordings, and more – www.interfaithvotewi.org, https://www.facebook.com/WIinterfaithvoterengagementcampaign , and Wisconsin Interfaith Voter Engagement Campaign - YouTube
Volunteers in every part of the state are needed for nonpartisan voter engagement activities. During the current health crisis, most activities have been moved online, such as:
- #MyFaithMyVoteMyStory video project - make a video and share with us your faith story about why voting is important to you. Watch our first video here. See our toolkit and this resource from the ACLU-Wisconsin for more tips on how to make a great video.
- Forward in Faith and Power: Why Your Vote Matters - a free webinar -
If you’ve ever wondered:- Why should I vote? What difference does my vote really make?
- What does faith have to do with voting?
- Why should I pay attention to local elections?
On this webinar, you can hear Wisconsin faith leaders, voting activists, and local elected officials give their answers. Featuring Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes
To see the recording of this webinar, click here
For further information about the Campaign and how you can get involved, contact Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, Executive Director of WFVJ, or WCC's Justice and Witness Coordinator, Peter Bakken.
