Faith Leaders Call for Election Integrity in the Midterms

October 29, 2026

To All Members of Congress:

As people of faith and heads of Washington-based offices of religious denominations and national organizations, we call for integrity in the processes that shape our systems of governance and form the basis of our shared well-being. We believe that free, fair, safe, accessible, and respected elections are a bedrock of democracy, and that active and informed citizen participation in the political and electoral process is essential not only to the proper functioning of government but also to the full exercise of our faith.  

Therefore, we are deeply troubled by any actions or statements that intimidate voters or deny safe and equal access to voting, or that spread unfounded claims about electoral outcomes or incite threats of violence. Such efforts to corrupt and undermine core electoral freedoms must be condemned in the strongest of terms across the political spectrum. We are already witnessing federal overreach into the administration of this election, and we stand firmly against any attempt, by any official or institution, to influence its outcome.

With Election Day fast approaching and voting already underway, we call on all members of Congress and all candidates for office to actively speak out in support of free, fair, and safe elections.  We are concerned by persistent efforts by the administration to discredit the integrity of elections, prevent the counting of certain ballots, threaten election officials with potential criminal liability, and spread disinformation about non-citizen voting.  

This nation can only live up to its democratic ideals when all are confident that we can vote freely and without undue hardship. This is particularly critical given the long history of racial disenfranchisement in the United States and persistent barriers facing historically marginalized communities. Federal armed agents have no place at the polls. Polling places must be accessible, safe, orderly, and free from intimidation, and election workers must be protected from threats and harassment. All lawfully cast votes must be counted accurately and transparently. Lawfully certified results must be honored, and transitions of power must be peaceful.  

These core democratic ideals should be fiercely protected by all of us, regardless of political persuasion or religious affiliation.  Public commitments across political parties to election integrity are essential to preventing election-related violence.  

We call upon all elected leaders, candidates, and election officials at every level of government to recommit to our core democratic principles, to look within and consider what they themselves can do in this critical hour to uphold the best in our nation’s values.  

Tactics to suppress the vote must end immediately, and all candidates and parties must publicly commit to respect lawfully certified election results, regardless of who wins – preserving democracy is more important than the success of any individual candidate.  Leaders across the political spectrum must urge their supporters to reject violence, intimidation, and threats, regardless of results. Legitimate legal challenges must be resolved through established processes, not coercion or disinformation. The power of the federal government must never be used to prejudge results or to pressure election officials into discarding lawful ballots.

The choice in this moment is clear and stark: shared commitment to sustaining and strengthening the ideals of our democracy, or the erosion of democratic safeguards for partisan gain.  We pray that our leaders will demonstrate a robust commitment to our fundamental democratic principles with their words and actions at this pivotal time.

In faith,

Rev. Adam Russell Taylor, President, Sojourners

Alan Yarborough, Director of Government Relations, The Episcopal Church  

The Rev. Amy Reumann, Senior Director, Witness in Society, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America  

Aura Kanegis, Director of Global Policy and Strategy, Washington Office, American Friends Service Committee

Avery Davis Lamb, Executive Director, Creation Justice Ministries

Bridget Moix, General Secretary, Friends Committee on National Legislation

Darcy Hirsch, Vice President, Government Relations and Advocacy, National Council of Jewish Women  

Rabbi Elizabeth Richman, Associate Director for Jewish Engagement and Advocacy, American Jewish World Service

George Devendorf, Senior Director for External Relations, Church World Service

Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Bishop Julius C. Trimble, General Secretary, General Board of Church and Society, The United Methodist Church

Laurie Carafone, Executive Director, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice

Marianne Comfort, Justice Director, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

Rev. Michael Neuroth, Director, Office of Public Policy & Advocacy, United Church of Christ

Michele Dunne, OFS, Executive Director, Franciscan Action Network

Rick L. Santos, President & CEO, Church World Service

Rev. Ron Stief, Executive Director, National Religious Campaign Against Torture

Susan Gunn, Director, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

Vikki Gass, Executive Director, Latin America Working Group

Organizations listed for informational purposes only.