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What to do, and NOT do:
Do
Take time to study the teachings of your particular faith group on public policy. The resources that others have developed will prove helpful. If you wish to speak on public issues from a faith perspective, it is helpful to draw on the essential teachings of your faith.
Maintain an honest, non-partisan position on issues.
Urge all members of your congregation to register to vote. Virginia is a low voter registration, low voter turnout state. Make certain that persons who cannot physically get to the polls secure an absentee ballot. Provide a number people who need transportation to the polls can call. Do not tell people how to vote, but encourage all people of faith to participate in the civic process.
Attend the Virginia Interfaith Center candidate forums. You will be astonished at how appreciative candidates are of citizens who ask honest questions and share concerns in a sincere, non-threatening way. Listen carefully. Do candidates really answer questions or avoid making direct responses? Does the candidate have a record on the issue? Do you know the record? Do you share her or his faith?
Linger a bit after candidate forums for a chance to engage candidates in personal conversation. Make sure they get to know you by name and by face. They are people too and are eager to meet new people.
We are happy to report that Virginia has some GREAT leaders in its General Assembly. We do not always agree with them, but we appreciate the integrity of their dedication to the Virginia and are happy when we CAN agree and work together.
DON'T...
Endorse a candidate, even if he or she is a member of your congregation.
Distribute partisan campaign literature as part of a congregational activity. Your congregation may need to decide what its policy will be regarding granting any political organization permission to distribute campaign literature peacefully on property belonging to your congregation. A congregation may issue a ban. We do not personally recommend voter guides which are most usually vehicles for polarizing rhetoric and partisan attacks.
Distribute a candidate survey focused on narrowly selected issues that could appear biased.
Distribute literature that does not include of the name of the organization that produced the material.
Invite selected candidates to address a congregational group and exclude other candidates. Make certain that all candidates for the same office receive identical invitations. Raise the level of discourse around issues of morality and justice, do not play partisan games with the "grey" areas of the law.
Conduct a partisan voter registration drive.
Distribute information you know to be untrue, violates the beliefs of your faith community, suggests partisan positions, or insults the religious beliefs of others.
Other Resources
The Real Rules: Congregations and IRS Guidelines On Advocacy, Lobbying, and Elections
from the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
http://www.uua.org/uuawo/new/article.php?id=314
Politics and the Pulpit: A Guide to the Internal Revenue Code Restrictions on the Political Activity of Religious Organizations
(in question and answer format)
From the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life
http://pewforum.org/publications/reports/IRCbrochureBIG.pdf
Advocates Guide to the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002
http://www.civilrights.org/issues/voting/details.cfm?id=11255
Federal Election Commission
http://www.fec.gov
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