UU’s Agree to Get Out the Vote in 2020

By MUUSJN on Monday, February 3rd, 2020

National & State UU’s Planning to Get Out the Vote

Click HERE for “UU the Vote” Resources from the Unitarian Universalist Association

The Michigan UU Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) Board of Directors voted to make Get Out the Vote (GOTV) a priority during 2020. Voting is not just political, but a moral action. UU’s uphold the right of every person to have their voice heard. Elections have consequences for our environment, for people of color, women, LGBTQ people, immigrants and low income families.

The national UU organization, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), launched an ambitious campaign called “UU the Vote”. This email provides an an update on what the UUA and what MUUSJN are doing to encourage people in our communities to understand what’s at stake and assist people to get ready to vote in 2020.

The UUA is holding a webinar at 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 6th on IRS non-profit regulations and electoral work. An attorney will discuss how congregations can act boldly on behalf of our values while remaining compliant with 501 (c) 3 regulations. The author of “The Real Rules”will answer commonly asked questions about civic engagement and electoral work. Click HERE to register and for more information.

On January 28th, 28 people from 12 Michigan UU Congregations got on a MUUSJN UU the Vote conference call to share what they’re doing and to learn about MUUSJN and UUA plans. Here are highlights from this call:

  1. Susan Leslie, UUA Advocacy and Witness Director – Susan provided background on its “all hands on deck” UU the Vote campaign that includes: voter registration and mobilization; combating voter suppression; “open door” congregation policy that indicates UU’s would make their space available to community organizations doing GOTV work; holding values based issue conversations; and providing space for weekly spiritual sustenance for people doing the work. Over 770 people, including 29 people from Michigan, got on this UU the Vote webinar. Susan said $500 Get Out the Vote grants are available to UU congregations from the UU Funding Program.
  2. Scott Reilly, Chair of a MI ACLU People Power group that meets at Northwest UU Church in Southfield, told about his group’s campaign to sign up 8,000 people to get their names on a “Permanent Absent Voter List”. When put on this list, clerks will send an Absentee Ballot application prior to each election on an ongoing basis. Click HERE for a copy of simple sign-up form. This tool can be used on Sunday mornings or at public meetings. Michigan’s new “no reason” absentee voter policy makes this possible. To contact Scott go to: GOTVmetrodetroit@riseup.net or go to his website: www.gotvmi.org
  3. Denise Hartsough, member of People’s Church of Kalamazoo and leader with the League of Women Voters (LWV), reported that local LWV’s have grants to do voter education. She said that the LWV has been a good partner with local groups that want to do GOTV.
  4. Carrie Hatcher, a member of the UU Congregation of Ann Arbor, told about a WAVE project that allows individuals to learn about voting habits of their neighbors. She suggested the value of having personal conversations (“deep canvassing”) with people who may be turned off to voting as a way to help them see the connection between voting and affirming their values.
  5. Julia Pulver, a member of Birmingham Unitarian Church who is running for State Senate, told about GOTV plans at her congregation that include: to “Beyond Voting” conferences that will include speakers on current events topics and, in the Fall, programs with candidates talking about the views on issues. Julia and Jane O’Neil are coordinating these activities that will be open to the public. They hope other UU congregations will collaborate with these activities.
  6. Randy Block, Director of MUUSJN, said the Network is working to support GOTV actions in all Michigan UU congregations. He’s partnering with three organizations to encourage LGBTQ communities to vote: the Human Rights Campaign; LGBT Detroit; and Inclusive Justice. Randy hope funding will become available for MUUSJN through the Economic Justice Alliance of Michigan (EJAM) and other sources to do GOTV activities in Michigan.

The next MUUSJN GOTV conference call will be held in March. To get on a list for this call or to share your GOTV ideas and questions, email randyblock@yahoo.com or call/text 248-224-5572

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