Civic engagement campaign reaches tens of thousands of Virginians across the Commonwealth

RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) has mobilized more than 100 houses of worship as “100% voting congregations,” with each congregation pledging to encourage its members to register and vote early in the upcoming Nov. 3, 2026, election.  

“Voting is how houses of worship put their shared values into practice beyond Sunday morning, Friday prayers, or Saturday services,” said Robert Lester, VICPP’s civic engagement coordinator, who leads the Center’s get-out-the-vote efforts. “Virginians have a right to food, affordable housing, quality education, and health care, and voting determines how well we protect those rights. It’s one of the few tools available equally to everyone, and we can’t afford to let it go unused.” As the late Rep. John Lewis said, ‘The vote is precious. It’s almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent instrument or tool that we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.’” 

Virginia Interfaith Center’s civic engagement efforts include:  

• Hosting three Interfaith “Souls to the Polls” events on: Sunday, Oct. 25, 12-4 p.m. at Hickory Hill Community Center, 3000 East Belt Blvd.; Richmond City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street and Union Grove Baptist Church, 19111 Church Road, South Chesterfield (12:30-4:30 p.m.). 

• Recruiting faith leaders to serve as poll chaplains, offering a calm presence at polling sites on Election Day. 

• Mobilizing more than 100 houses of worship to become 100% voting congregations/communities.” 

• Sending 16,000 postcards to volunteers who write personal notes to registered voters who vote infrequently. 

• Collaborating in voter registration drives and get-out-the-vote trainings at college campuses and congregations/communities across Virginia. 

• Recruiting volunteers for a voter protection program run by Virginia Civic Engagement Table. 

EVENT CONTACT: Robert Lester, VICPP’s civic engagement coordinator, robert@virginiainterfaithcenter.org  
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Roberta Oster, VICPP’s director of communications, roberta@virginiainterfaithcenter.org 
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The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy engages people of faith and goodwill to advocate economic, racial, and social justice in Virginia’s policies and practices through education, prayer, and action. VICPP is a nonpartisan, nonprofit coalition of more than 950 faith communities working toward a more just society.