Election 2026
Primary Election – August 4 (Michigan), August 11 (Wisconsin)
General Election – November 3
The ELCA and the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) provide resources and opportunities to support rostered ministers, congregations, synod offices, seminaries, campus ministry groups, and individuals with civic engagement. Engagement with God’s work in the public sphere is based on careful discernment that transcends partisanship.
*Any participation by congregations in activities related to the electoral process must be strictly nonpartisan and abide by Internal Revenue Service guidelines.
Events, Opportunities, & Resources
Elections are a season, not a day! Join the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin throughout this year to learn, engage, and get inspired. A list of anticipated activities is below.
Online Events
Elections & Civic Engagement: What the ELCA Teaches & How Congregations Can Engage
Join LOPPW for an online event this summer to learn more about ELCA social teachings, how elections work in Wisconsin, and how your congregation or team can get involved. Tentative date is July 28, 7-8pm. Details coming soon!
The Election is Over, Now What? Post-Election Processing & Ongoing Engagement
Join LOPPW for an online event in the fall, after the election, to join together after the election. We will discuss the election and consider ways to engage newly elected leaders. Details coming later this year.
Other Opportunities
- Training opportunity on civic engagement education for youth – available to rostered and lay leaders who work with young people (details coming soon).
- In-person presentations from LOPPW at your congregation or to your ministry team (contact us to arrange one!).
- Blurbs with trusted election information that can be shared in your congregation or ministry team newsletters.
Resources & Guides
Civic Engagement Planning Tool (forthcoming) – Use this tool to help plan civic engagement activities based on your capacity and goals.
One-page guides for synod teams, congregations, ministries, and individuals (forthcoming) – Use these Wisconsin-specific guides to prepare, engage, and identify relevant ELCA resources to support your outreach and activities.
Additional resources on specific topics are also planned. Sign up for our mailing list and come back to this webpage regularly so you don’t miss new materials and opportunities!
ELCA Elections & Civic Engagement Resources
The ELCA has developed resources to support congregations and individuals in nonpartisan civic engagement during election years.
Start Here:
These two resources linked will help congregations plan transparent, nonpartisan engagement activities:
- Being a Public Church in the Electoral Process: A Guide for Churches and Rostered Ministers
This six-page guide shares important information related to churches’ involvement in the electoral process and includes a checklist to guide decision-making on what types of activities are appropriate. - ELCA Civic Engagement Guide
This 22-page guide provides an overview of civic engagement activities and resources related to specific actions, such as voter registration initiatives and candidate forums.
More Resources & Guides:
- Churches as Polling Places
This two-page guide provides considerations for churches considering the possibility of serving as polling places. - Prepared to Vote Checklist
This one-page document can be printed or shared electronically with congregation members to help them make a voting plan by determining important local deadlines and identifying their polling place. - Voter Guidelines for People Facing Homelessness
This two-page resource outlines opportunities for congregations to support church and community members experiencing homelessness so that they have access to voting. - Fact & Activity Sheet on Race and Voting
This two-page resource can be printed and used as an educational and discussion sheet within congregations to raise awareness of the impact of racism on voting rights and access.
Please contact Kacy Kostiuk, LOPPW Director, at [email protected] with any questions or resource requests.
