Election Day Update
October 30, 2020
The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.
Chief Justice
Supreme Court of the United States
One First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20543
Dear Chief Justice Roberts –
As faith leaders from many traditions across our nation, we write to you out of deep concern for the health of our democracy and urge you to do everything in your power to protect the sacred right of all voters to have their vote counted and their voice heard in this election.
Our traditions all view human dignity as a core value. We recognize that a divine spark resides within everyone. No one is “more worthy” or “less worthy” in the eyes of our Creator. Each of us is entitled to the same rights and agency, the same opportunity to shape our own future and the future of our society.
Our religious beliefs support and reinforce fundamental civic values and democratic principles that we must all seek to uphold. Foremost is the right to vote, to know that our votes will be counted, and our voices heard.
In these polarized times, we are deeply concerned that our election’s legitimacy be upheld so that the results truly reflect the ‘will of the people.’ Any efforts to curtail voters’ participation will render the election results suspect, further destabilize our democratic institutions, and inflict another grave wound to our body politic. You may have a critical role to play in safeguarding our democracy in the weeks ahead.
We call on you and your fellow Justices, if a contested election outcome should emerge, to put the future of our democracy ahead of partisanship by allowing every vote to be counted before election results are finalized. We urge you to resist any pressures to exclude voters from having their ballots counted or to end vote-counting processes before every vote is counted.
Know that we will be holding you in prayer as you deliberate these momentous decisions.
Respectfully,
Rev. Michael-Ray Mathews, Deputy Director, Faith in Action
Rev. Dr. Katharine Rhodes Henderson, President, Auburn Seminary
Stosh Cotler, Chief Executive Officer, Bend the Arc Jewish Action
Rev. Jennifer Butler, Chief Executive Officer, Faith in Public Life
Rev. Adam Taylor, President-Elect and Acting President, Sojourners
LABC Gatherings Today
“3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” II Corinthians 1:3-4 (NASB)
We don’t have to be reminded that today is Election Day. There is much on the line with regard to the outcome of the election. If you need a time to debrief, reflect, and/or pray, we are providing two opportunities today at 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Join us as you are able using the church ZOOM link. We hope you take this time if needed to connect with one another.
Interfaith Gatherings This Week
The interfaith community will gather tomorrow, November 4, from 12-3 at Frank Ogawa Plaza for Interfaith Resistance: Count Every Vote – a time of connecting ourselves with community, centering ourselves in prayer, and strategizing for the days and weeks to come. You can join us in person or watch online via Lakeshore’s facebook page.
Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity has created a Post Election Tool Kit of resources including the role of the faith community, a calendar of events, faith talking points, and ways to engage in nonviolent resistance (should it be needed) in the streets or from home. They are partnering with Oakland Peace Center to host a Nonviolent Direct Action Training via zoom this Thursday, November 5 from 5-7 p.m. Details about this event can be found in the toolkit.