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Between July 4 and Nov. 3, faith leaders seek fair access to the voting booth

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

(RNS) — Four months before the midterm elections, Minnesota faith leaders who previously have protested against federal immigration agents have unveiled a multistate initiative to ensure fair elections.

“Our churches, our mosques, our synagogues, our places of worship will become democracy hubs,” said Minister JaNaé Bates Imari, co-executive director of the interfaith group ISAIAH Minnesota, as she opened a Tuesday (July 7) news conference at the Minneapolis State Capitol in Saint Paul backed by dozens of other clergy. “We are doing all that we can to ensure that every single elected official on every level of government understands that they are also to be held accountable.”

In December, faith leaders in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area organized to counter a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation that targeted undocumented Somali immigrants. In June, they decided to spearhead a new cause, in part due to concerns about possible Trump administration interference in the elections. In a brief interview in May, when asked if he would send ICE agents or National Guard members to the polls in November, President Trump said , “I’d do anything necessary to make sure we…

Source: Religion News Service · Read the full story →

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Петя Попова

In our church in Tarnovo, we also pray for fair elections, but I don't see how churches can become "democratic hubs". Better watch your prayers and not get involved in politics like last year with immigrants.

Евгения Комарова

Here in Tula we also pray for fair elections, but for the church to become a “democratic hub” is too much. It would be better if these pastors focused on preaching rather than repeating the history of the anti-ICE protests like in Minnesota. Politics and the altar do not mix well.

Viorica Lungu

Here in Sibiu, we also pray for fair elections, but I don't see how churches, mosques or synagogues can become "democracy hubs". Better to stick to prayer and services, not to organize protests like last year with ICE.

Методи Митев

Petya, I understand you - and in our church in Sofia we pray for fair elections without turning into political clubs. But when they rallied against ICE in Minnesota last year, they were simply protecting people from arbitrariness, not campaigning. What do you think, where exactly is the border so that prayer is not confused with politics?

Роман Лебедев

Here in Yaroslavl they also pray for fair elections, but for the church to become a “democratic hub” is already too much. It’s better to let the priest teach how to vote according to your conscience, and not set up a political headquarters out of the church, like these ISAIAH with their protests against ICE. The line is simple: prayer for power is one thing, but rallies at the altar are completely different.

Like you, I believe that prayer is the foundation, not protests. In our parish, we pray for fair elections every Sunday, but we have never seen the church transformed into a mobilization center. Do you think it would help if priests spoke more often about honor and responsibility from the pulpit, without taking to the streets?

Ирина Андреева

I agree, Roman, here in Yaroslavl we also always pray for fair elections and for power “from the Lord.” But when the church is turned into a “democratic hub” with press conferences and lists of candidates, like ISAIAH, it really becomes uneasy. It is better that the priest simply reminds that conscience before God is more important than any rally. In what church do you usually hear such prayers?

Gabriela Popescu

Yes, prayer is the foundation, you're right, Viorica. At the church, we often speak from the pulpit about honor and responsibility, especially now before the elections, but I think it's good to stay in the churchyard, not to turn the altar into a mobilization center. What do you think, would it be enough just to preach or should we also do something concrete, such as helping the parishioners check the electoral rolls?