Even though we are staying in our homes to slow the spread of COVID19, the election season continues. UU the Vote is a non-partisan faith initiative to engage our neighbors, educate our communities, mobilize voters, and rally around key ballot initiatives. All through 2020 the UUA is supporting congregations and UU organizations in activating thousands of Unitarian Universalists to mobilize for electoral justice at the local, state and national levels.

Directly or indirectly, the issues so many of us care most deeply about-climate change, LGBTQ rights, immigration, racial justice and more-will be on the ballot in 2020. The current electoral cycle offers us as progressive people of faith the opportunity to fight for our values, counter voter suppression, expand democracy, and engage in spiritually grounded, values-based issue conversations with other voters in our own communities. In this political moment, UUs are called to join forces with all people who want to organize our communities and our nation to #VoteLove and #DefeatHate.

For First U, this means that some of our committees may organize activities around important issues that could be impacted by the upcoming election. It is important that we do so in a way that protects our non-profit status as a church. Activities or organizations that are partisan (Republican, Democrat, Green Party) or that support a specific candidate will not be supported by the church and their activities here will not be approved by the Executive Team. We may choose to rent space to an advocacy organization whose mission is primarily focused on a particular political party, but we won’t offer space for free or provide other support. However, organizations working on issues that address our values may be approved, depending on how they fit in the church mission and availability of resources.

Some examples of past activities which have been approved include:
American Promise Forum on getting big money out of politics and pass a constitution amendment to overturn Citizens’ United
Celebration of the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
YWCA anti-racism workshops
You can read more about UU the Vote here, and more about our Human Rights Task Force and other church activities focused on community issues and justice on our web site. Just browse our Justice Menu in the menu bar at the top of our home page.

Let’s UU the Vote this year!