(Washington, DC, November 4, 2024) –
To promote peace and safety on Election Day, Faiths United to Save Democracy (FUSD), a nonpartisan, multi-racial, multi-faith, and multi-generational voter protection campaign, has established an election day command center and will deploy over 1,000 faith leaders across battleground states, including Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.
On Election Day, FUSD’s command center is located at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, during the hours of 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM, will facilitate virtual check-ins with poll chaplains and state leaders, monitor polling sites, and address challenges as they arise. The poll chaplains represent diverse communities of faith leaders — including Christian clergy, Rabbis, Imams, Quakers, and others who will offer a calming presence and assist with any voter concerns.
“For the past two presidential election cycles, our focus has been on voter education, protection, and mobilization,” said Dr. Barbara Williams Skinner, Co-convener of FUSD and Co-founder of the Skinner Leadership Institute. “With the threat of disruptions and violence at polling sites, we are excited that 1,400 faith leaders have joined the Poll Chaplain and Peacekeeper deployment.”
The need for this initiative has grown in recent years as restrictive voting laws have proliferated. Since 2020, 49 states have introduced over 400 restrictive voting bills, with 19 states enacting 33 laws, including measures criminalizing assistance for voters waiting in line. This trend prompted the formation of FUSD in 2021 to protect voter rights and promote nonpartisan peacekeeping efforts.
“We’re at a pivotal moment, with key freedoms and rights at risk—such as the freedom to vote without intimidation and the right to equitable healthcare for all,” added Rev. Jim Wallis, FUSD Co-convener and Director of Georgetown University’s Center on Faith & Justice.
On-site interviews for interested media will be available at the FUSD Command Center, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM with key faith and civil rights leaders below:
Dr. Barbara Williams Skinner, FUSD Co-convener and co-founder of the Skinner Leadership Institute
Rev. Jim Wallis, FUSD Co-convenor and Georgetown Center on Faith and Justice
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, President and General Secretary, National Council of Churches
Rev. Shavon Arline Bradley, President & CEO, National Council of Negro Women
Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director, Religious Action of Reformed Judaism
Imam Talib Shareef, President and Imam of Masjid Muhammad of DC
Rev. Hyepin Im, President & CEO, Faith and Community Empowerment (FACE)
Dr. Cynthia Hale, Ray of Hope Christian Church, Atlanta, GA
