As part of the NCC Statement: Voting Rights Are Human Rights released on Martin Luther King Day 2022, the NCC Governing Board added their voices to the call for the passage of protective voting rights legislation, amplifying the collective plea of our faith leaders for the protection of our democracy.
Acknowledging that voting rights have been under siege across the country and voter suppression efforts have greatly intensified, the NCC calls on the Senate to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act to safeguard and improve our democratic processes and ensure Americans can safely and freely cast our ballots so that every voice is heard, and our elections reflect the will of the people.
From the NCC Governing Board:
“The right to vote is one of the markers of a democratic society. Protecting the right to vote is the duty of elected officials in order to preserve equality and inclusivity for ALL citizens.” – Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, NCC Governing Board Chair and Presiding Bishop of the Fifth Episcopal District, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
“As a nation, we are at a critical juncture in protecting our democracy. Fifty-six years after the passage of the Voting Rights Act, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, many in this country still face racial disparities and inequalities in accessing the right to vote. I urge passage of The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. If enacted, it would do much to further the ELCA’s resolve to call upon local, state, and federal governments to guarantee the right to vote to all citizens and to discourage or eliminate all laws, ordinances or regulations that would have the effect of racial and ethnic discrimination in the exercise of that right. Please join me in praying for our Congress, our president, and members of the Supreme Court. In the words of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” – The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, NCC Governing Board Vice Chair and Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
1 John 3:18 teaches us that we must love not only in word or speech but in truth and action. As Christians we must have the courage to not only speak truth but to mobilize to ensure that our human dignity is affirmed and protected through the ballot, and that we hold each other accountable for maintaining a society that reflects the limitless love of God through Jesus Christ.” – Rev. Terri Hord Owens, NCC Governing Board Treasurer and General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada
“I consider passage of the voting rights bill to be the single most important matter before congress right now. The very foundations of our democracy are being dismantled as red state legislators rewrite voting laws, giving new powers to state officials to overturn legitimate election outcomes and restricting voter access. The Senate must, by any means necessary, finish the work of the House and establish Federal protections for voting rights or be remembered throughout history as those whose failure to lead ended democracy as we knew it.” – Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, Past Chair of the NCC Governing Board and General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, National Ministries
“My prayer is that this Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend will provide Members of Congress a moment of respite to reflect on the meaning of his life and the immensity of the struggle he and millions of others waged to secure the right to vote. If they truly do so, I believe they will return to Washington next week and vote to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act.” – Mr. Jim Winkler, NCC President and General Secretary
“A near-sacred cornerstone of this ideal of democracy is the vote. The individual’s right to vote, and our respect for the collective will of the people expressed in their votes, are foundational to the temple that is democracy. The vote and the collective will of the people must be upheld as sacred and inviolate; it must be respected and protected, ‘that government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth.’ Let us be people of conviction and choose the promise that is before us.” – The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church
“The United Methodist Church advocates for free and fair elections, beginning with the sacred right to vote guaranteed to all adult citizens. Today the sacred right to vote is jeopardized by the increasing suppression of the vote for many citizens of the United States. We call upon the Senate to support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (S.4) and the Freedom to Vote Act (S.2747) in recognition and celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” – Bishop Sally Dyck, Ecumenical Officer for the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church
“The Church of the Brethren has asserted that, “We believe that government…can be strengthened by participation of its entire citizenry…[and] we support steps by our government to recognize the full enfranchisement of all of our citizens.” In both our church and the country in which we reside, we aim to make this a reality. Though this has been imperfect in practice, we strive and urge for full and just participation for all.” – Rev. Dr. Nathan Hosler, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy at the Church of the Brethren
“The voice of every citizen of our country in an election should matter to all of us. Because to exclude one segment is to threaten every segment. We urge the Senate to reject attempts to restrict voting of people of color, students and the elderly. Silence no one. Lift every voice!” – Bishop Francis Krebs, Presiding Bishop of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion
“Exercising the right to vote is foundational in a democracy. Our moral and civic values demand protection of access to voting for all citizens.” – Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, African Methodist Episcopal Church
“It is very unfortunate and despairing that after more than 50 years after the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. that this country will not stand up for the voting rights of all Americans. It is a sad day in this country’s history. We must never relent in our pursuit for justice!” – Rev. Dr. Franklyn Richardson, Chairman of the Conference of National Black Churches and Governing Board Member
“Voting rights are human rights! Let’s stop voter suppression. Every citizen should have equal and easy access to vote. The Senate must pass The Freedom to Vote Act and The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.” – Rev. Phil Tom, Executive Director of The International Council of Community Churches
Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, NCC Governing Board Chair and Presiding Bishop of the Fifth Episcopal District, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church:
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Vice Chair of the NCC Governing Board:
Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, NCC Treasurer and General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ):
Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith, NCC Ecumenical Officer and Senior Associate for Pan African and Orthodox Church Engagement for Bread for the World:
Bishop Francis Krebs, Presiding Bishop of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion: