• Slug: Religious Poll Watchers. 590 words.
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By Tony Gutiérrez
Special for Cronkite News

Following reports of armed “poll watchers” at Arizona polling places during the last several election cycles, two groups have launched initiatives inviting people of faith to help promote peace at the polls.

Faiths United to Save Democracy is actively recruiting “poll chaplains” to serve at various poll locations, while the Arizona Faith Network, in partnership with Election Protection Arizona, is inviting people of faith to be “peacekeepers.” Medina Moore, voting rights organizer for the Arizona Faith Network, said both groups support each other in their missions.

“One group cannot cover every single polling location, and so, the more groups, the better, so that we have full coverage at our polling locations throughout Arizona,” she said.

Responsibilities

Volunteers do not have to be ordained clergy or belong to any particular faith tradition to serve as chaplains, although faith leaders are encouraged to wear some kind of religious garb to help identify them, said the Rev. Warren H. Stewart Sr., the Arizona lead for Faiths United to Save Democracy.

“It is to provide a spiritual presence and a sense of peace for those who are making their way to cast their ballots on Election Day amidst this divisive, bitter, partisan climate that exists in the United States at this time,” said Stewart, longtime pastor of First Institutional Baptist Church in Phoenix.

Volunteers hope to offer a calming and peaceful alternative to potential voter intimidation. In addition to being a peaceful presence, these volunteers are also trained to help answer questions for voters or provide water bottles, snacks or visors.

Training

Poll chaplains take a 90-minute webinar to go over their responsibilities. They can sign up through turnoutsunday.com.

Peacekeepers can sign up through allvoting.org/afn2024. They take a one-hour virtual training followed by an assessment.

De-escalation

Should there be any potential threats of violence, volunteers can call a hotline to help them determine next steps, which could include contacting the police. They should not put themselves in harm’s way, according to Arizona Faith Network Executive Director Katie Sexton.

“It can be really scary, especially for vulnerable people in our communities, to feel safe to go in and cast their vote safely when they’re getting screamed at to vote a certain way, and they’re being intimidated,” Sexton said. “We need to be making sure our communities stay safe, not acting as law enforcement or a political party or swaying anyone’s vote.”

Nonpartisan, interfaith effort

Both groups have already had a positive response from across the political spectrum. People of faith who’ve responded include not only Christians but also Jews, Muslims and Baha’is.

“I’m an advocate of what I call Jesus and justice. So, helping people to exercise the right to vote — which came at a high price for people of color and women in this nation — is very important to me,” Stewart said. “People who are men and women of faith should be able to exercise their faith by voting according to principles of their faith. Anything I can do to get more people to exercise the right to vote and to vote following their faith is a plus for me.”

Sexton said the Arizona Faith Network’s interfaith partners have noticed division not only in society but within their own communities.

“It’s really important for faith leaders to figure out ways that folks can be united, even if it’s just casting their vote safely,” Sexton said. “Most faith leaders I talked to are just looking for something to do to make sure that our communities stay safe and feel comfortable on election day.”

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