100 Percent Voting Congregations
VICPP is equipping congregations to ensure that 100 percent of members vote in November. Faith communities commit to boosting registration, encouraging voting, and sharing educational resources. Congregations will receive a toolkit, resources for bulletins and websites, a “100 Percent Voting” banner for hanging outside, and possibly a financial incentive.
2023 Civic Engagement Training
Important Dates
June 20 - Primaries held for both parties in many districts (some districts use caucuses, some have only one candidate)
September 22 - Early voting begins for November
October 16 - Last day to register to vote before the General Election
October 27 - Last day to request a mail in/ absentee ballot
November 4 - Last day of early voting
November 7 - General Election
Make sure you're registered and track your ballot
elections.virginia.gov/voterinformation
Canvassing
Join us in encouraging people to participate in the democratic process! We will be knocking on doors of people who have voted inconsistently in the past, since this election cycle has historically lower turnout. You can organize canvassing in your neighborhood or with your congregation (and we would be happy to help put together the ground work). Or you can join in with VICPP efforts in a few jurisdictions! Email Robert, our Civic Engagement Coordinator, for more information.
Election Protection
VICPP will be monitoring 100 precincts on election day to ensure that voters can cast their ballots, free from intimidation. Monitors must participate in a training program. More details will be coming soon!
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is partnering with the Virginia Election Protection Coalition to assist voters in 2023! Virginia Election Protection Volunteers are the first line of defense against voter suppression during early voting and on election day. Volunteer to make an impact in your community. Monitors must participate in a training program, and you can sign up at this link: www.protectthevoteva.org/vicpp
Postcarding
UPDATE! 10,000 POSTCARDS SENT!
VICPP activists and friends have finished hand-writing 10,000 postcards to send to infrequent voters who are people of color. Many thanks to those who participated in this awesome endeavor!
“Voting is a civic sacrament.” – Rev. Theodore Hesburgh
Faithful Citizens is a year-round civic engagement program that emphasizes the fullest participation of people of faith in the electoral process. More than our civic responsibility in a democracy, voting can ensure good governance. The ballot box is a critical avenue to support public servants who are committed to fairness, humanity and integrity. Faith does not compel us to resign from politics; the pursuit of social change by people of faith must include informed political action to be effective. The public square is a key place where people of faith can be authentic in demonstrating care for our families and communities by advancing just policies. Building a just society is a collective enterprise to which VICPP calls forward Faithful Citizens.
Voter Education
The Faithful Citizen program coordinates opportunities to educate people of faith about upcoming elections, essential voter information, candidates on the ballot, and VICPP priority issues. The program supports clergy leaders who seek to build a 100% voting congregation.
Voter Mobilization
The Faithful Citizen program galvanizes people of faith to organize or lead activities that promote civic engagement within their congregations and faith communities.
Voter Protection
The Faithful Citizen program provides people of faith strategies to counter voter suppression, misinformation and unfair polling conditions on election days to build a robust Get Out The Vote (GOTV) plan for your congregation.
Workshops & Training
VICPP's Impactive Training
Communicating with people we personally know and building relationships with new people are the most effective ways to encourage voting. VICPP will be offering a weekly training session on how to use Impactive -- a phone app -- for using your phone to encourage people to vote. Click for more information and to register.
Resources
Same Day Voter Registration flyer 2022
Virginia has a new same-day voter registration law this year that allows people to vote on election day. Spread the word in your community with this flyer!
Faithful Citizens Absentee Voter Flyer 2021
The witness requirement is no longer waived, so you must open and complete your ballot in the presence of a witness who will then sign the return envelope with you. Help remind others by sharing VICPP’s Absentee Voter Flyer.
Rides to the Registrar 2021
We encourage voters to drop off absentee ballots at their Registrar Office or at early voting in-person locations. Organizing Rides to the Registrar will help get out the vote for those you know with mobility and health challenges, time management difficulties or lack of transportation. If your county provides drop boxes, then you have the option of collecting absentee ballots for members in trusted groups and organizations to deposit for them.
