Access the Vote

The year 2008 will bring the culmination of a long election season during a contentious time in American politics. It is our responsibility to engage in the processes that remind all candidates to make relief for hungry and poor people a priority. To convey this message, concerned people of faith can and should be involved in all aspects of electoral campaigns. Americans will elect a president in 2008. Voters will also select 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, 35 Senators and 11 governors.

Bread for the World Institute, which provides analysis on hunger policy issues, developed this handbook to help Christians and other people of faith concerned about hunger and poverty to become involved in these elections. We especially hope that the tools offered here will help shape efforts to educate congressional candidates. These aspiring leaders must know that Americans are deeply concerned about hunger.

Its five chapters cover the importance of participating in the political life of a community; the extent to which catholic values influence catholic voter choices the significant issues; how to evaluate candidates for office; and how the catholic tradition can transform our political landscape.

"Religion and Politics: A Guide for Houses of Worship"

This resource helps religious leaders during the campaign season understand:

• The importance of encouraging their members/congregants to vote.
• Why they should never tell members/congregants whom to vote for.
• That a partnership between religion and government can and should preserve the autonomy of houses of worship and ensure that religious institutions are not held hostage to the priorities and interests of federal, state, or local governments.
• That religion's powerful healing force in politics can be severely compromised when America's shared values are replaced by values that advance only particular sectarian interests.

"Called To Be a Public Church" is intended to encourage congregations to participate in voter registration drives, voter mobilization campaigns, and poll monitoring. This guide also contains nonpartisan issue briefs on issues related to the ELCA social statements.