New Our Faith Our Vote toolkit and resources launch ahead of historic November midterms

As the 2026 midterm elections approach in November, there are new resources to help faith communities get educated on the issues and mobilize to vote with love, created by the United Church of Christ Office of Public Policy and Advocacy.

In November’s election, every seat in the U.S. House and about one-third of the U.S. Senate seats are on the ballot, along with many governors’ races, state legislatures, and local ballot initiatives that shape common life and policies ranging from reproductive justice, to LGBTQIA+ rights, to the budget decisions that impact the most vulnerable in communities.

It’s a historic election – one that follows frenzies of state gerrymandering for House seats, the president’s unsupported claims of voter fraud, and surveys showing a decline in the health of America’s democracy.

“There is so much at stake,” said the Rev. Michael Neuroth, director of the Office of Public Policy and Advocacy. “We are called to ensure that every vote matters, that every voice is heard on the future direction of our nation.”

One fresh resource available is the 2026 Our Faith Our Vote Election Engagement Toolkit (at the link, scroll down to “General Voter Resources” to download the toolkit). It’s a nonpartisan resource to help faith communities to participate in election prep.

The toolkit includes:

🗸 Theological reflection on the upcoming election.
🗸 Guidance for launching a voter empowerment drive or organizing a candidate forum.
🗸 Single-page summaries on several relevant issues, including prayers and action steps – from economic justice to international affairs.
🗸 Tips for offering civil discourse in uncivil times.
🗸 Resources for college campuses and youth engagement.
🗸 Guidelines on church political engagement.

Opportunities to learn more, take action

These election tools are available for everyone: pastors, deacons, church leaders, and faithful citizens.

One particular opportunity for individuals to get involved is by attending a poll chaplain training and committing to provide a calm, moral presence, equipped to de-escalate conflicts at a polling site on Election Day. An upcoming online poll chaplain training is planned for September 28, held by partner organization Faiths United to Save Democracy. Registration is open now. 

The UCC Election Center also provides a place where folks can check their registrations and find sample ballots.

And coming up on August 11, catch the UCC webinar, Be Prophetic, Not Partisan: Election Engagement 101 for Congregations, which will feature UCC General Counsel Heather Kimmel together with staff from the Office of Public Policy and Advocacy to cover the do’s and don’ts of how religious groups can mobilize around nonpartisan election engagement. 

“We live in a moment when many of our neighbors — immigrants, LGBTQIA+ siblings, Black and brown
communities, people living with disabilities, and so many others — are all under threat of losing their rights,” Neuroth said. “Love calls us to stand with them, not just in our words but in our actions: in how we organize, how we show up for one another, in how we vote.”

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