Faith leaders support voting rights

Gathered on Oct. 6 by the Faith Action Network of Washington (FAN), 20 clergy stood outside the Thomas Foley Federal Courthouse in Spokane to encourage people to vote their values and ignore the efforts to confuse them into thinking their vote doesn't matter or that they will be thwarted in their attempt to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

While they assured that people would be able to vote by mail in Washington, they recognize that the recent barrage of efforts to disenfranchise some voters will not end after the upcoming midterm elections.

Opening a press conference, the Rev. Kimberly Meinecke, pastor of St. David's Episcopal, said that the clergy gathered represented Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh and Christian faiths, standing up for the voting rights guaranteed by law and in the U.S. Constitution, and decrying federal government attempts to violate the right to vote.

The Rev. David Gortner, vice president of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane's diocesan council, read a statement from the Right Rev. Gretchen Rehberg, bishop of Spokane who recently had a double lung transplant because of her role helping as a first responder after Sept. 11 in New York City.

Growing up on a farm in Washington on the border with Idaho and having an Idaho address, she is aware of how difficult it can be for some to register to vote.

"Everyone is made in the image of God, created for and in community. A threat to the voting rights of one is a threat to my voting rights," she said. "We need to protect the rights of all people to vote," Gretchen said, calling for people to vote early and use the county's ballot boxes.

Venerable Thubten Monlam, a Buddhist nun at Sravasti Abbey in Newport, called for people to be informed, to do their homework, to check endorsements and to understand what the candidates' stands are.

"Vote for the candidate that represents your values," she said, reminding voters to be aware there are more than federal candidates. There are also state, county and local candidates and there are three ballot initiatives that will affect the quality of life of all people. "Vote to support the welfare of all."

She added not to take the right to vote for granted and be attuned to the attempts to undermine trust in the election. She also pointed out the need to support the elections officials whose work at the county level is an effort to support free and fair elections, because elections impact life in communities and schools.

Karen Stromgren of Muslims for Community Action and Support said that as a resident, parent and grandparent in a Muslim family, she experienced discrimination and hate toward her family after Sept. 11. She appreciated that the President at that time had made it clear that the actions of the terrorists did not represent the values of Islam.

Nonetheless, her older son was called names and experienced racism in school.

"Some people can be cruel. It matters who we elect to represent us in our cities, counties, state and nation," said Karen, who has been told there is no home for her faith in America.

She was born in America and has voted in Washington by mail, but she is aware that with efforts to undermine trust in elections, voting rights may not always be there.

Karen reminded that women, blacks and other people of color had to fight to secure their right to vote. "We need to choose who we want to represent us and protect the right to vote for all communities, especially those who are targeted," Karen affirmed. "Be brave and stand up for the rights of others who do not look like you."

The Rev. Emily Kuenker, who serves as pastor and organizer of Grace Commons in Spokane for young adults, asserted that the attempt to restrict voting is a challenge to all faith traditions.
"We need to defend the right of all people to vote," she said. "We need to stand together and be heard."

Kimberly closed thanking clergy of many faiths, standing with elections officials who work make elections free and fair. She reaffirmed that the clergy were speaking out against the confusion that is designed to discourage some from voting.

While encouraging voters to use the county ballot drop boxes, she is aware that many in outlying communities and that have difficulty getting out of their homes may have difficulty using them, urging them to vote early.

"We condemn all federal efforts to interfere with voting, which is established as a state and county process," Kimberly said.

The clergy of the different faith traditions did not say how to vote but encouraged voters to vote according to the values of their faiths.

For information, email bdilts@fanwa.org.