Vote is Sacred Campus Pilot Grants

The courage of the late John Lewis amid brutal repression will stand as a monument to one of the country’s most significant efforts to save this democratic experiment we call the United States of America. As an original architect of the twentieth-century’s civil rights movement and during his 17 terms in Congress, Rep. Lewis worked tirelessly to ensure access to the ballot box for all people, particularly Black people, and others for whom the burden of voter suppression weighs most heavily.

A core group of student leaders hosts a discussion series about how to think about particular social or political issues from a faith perspective. For example, the group of Vote is Sacred student leaders could meet with the campus Muslim Student Organization to host a dialogue about what Islam says about the importance of civic participation. At the end of this conversation, there could be a call to action by having attendees register to vote and/or verify their registration is correct. This model can also be replicated to have meaningful dialogue with external organizations and groups to foster and strengthen relationships in the broader community.

Student leaders could host voter registration drives on campus. Funds could be used to support the necessary costs to administer a series of voter registration drives that target various demographics and groups on campus. Funds could also help support actual GOTV efforts during an election season. For example, paying for shuttles to transport students and other community members to the nearest polling place to cast their vote.