Clergy from multiple faith traditions gathered at the Wisconsin Capitol together to speak in solidarity for a national day of action to “Protect Our Vote.”

The gathering came after the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and four months to-the-date before midterm elections. Clergy spoke with a unified voice proclaiming trust in our election systems and a commitment to protecting voter access and rights.

“Today, we stand as clergy from multiple faith traditions who are standing up to protect our democracy as we move into the fall election season,” said the Rev. Breanna Illéné, Ecumenical Innovation and Justice Initiatives at the Wisconsin Council of Churches.

The event was part of a nationwide day of action that featured 15 press conferences in nine states, including in Eau Claire, Madison, and Milwaukee. At the event, leaders shared a letter signed by more than 2,000 clergy nationwide, including 265 from Wisconsin. The letter raises concern about attempts to limit voting access and calls for protection of voting rights.

In addition to Illéné, clergy from Christian, Jewish, and Unitarian traditions spoke about the importance of protecting voting rights and maintaining trust in democratic institutions. Other speakers included:

• Rev. Dr. Christopher Ross, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Watertown
• Rev. David Hart, Sherman Church, Madison
• Rabbi Jonathan Prosnit, Temple Beth El, Madison
• Rev. Kelly Asprooth-Jackson, First Unitarian Society, Madison
• Rev. Wendy Moen, Covenant Lutheran Church, Stoughton

“We have been called to create a community in which all parts are honored,” said Ross. “There should be no second-class members of the body politic.”

“This ethic of political participation has guided Jews to take part enthusiastically in the electoral process – It comes down to a core yet simple belief: Democracy is strongest when every vote is counted; democracy suffers when voters are suppressed,” said Prosnit.

“Democracy is a difficult and demanding ideal to put into practice, and voting and vote-tallying are only one part of the larger work by which free people govern themselves,” said Asprooth-Jackson. “But they are a crucial part. So the folks who wait in line to exercise their franchise, or who go out of their way to help a neighbor do the same, or the poll workers who hand you your ballot and help make sure it gets read by the machine – all these are holy acts, as they contribute to the sanctity of democratic practice.”

“Today we’re seeing a new brand of attacks on our entire community, and that – from my perspective – creates a spiritual crisis as well as a moral crisis,” said Hart.

“As followers of Christ, we trust that loving our neighbor takes place not only in our churches, but also in our public life. May God grant us wisdom to pursue justice with humility, courage to love our neighbors in both word and deed, and grace to build a democracy worthy of the dignity God has given every person,” said Moen. “Together, let us be people who not only pray for our nation but also faithfully seek the common good by protecting the participation, voice, and dignity of every eligible voter. “

As we approach the 2026 November elections, clergy and religious leaders are joining together across faith, race, and geography to speak out in support of voting rights and trust in our electoral systems through coordinated, nonviolent action.

Faith leaders are launching an organizing path towards local actions, preparing regional election defense de-escalation and rapid response trainings, and preparing to mobilize during the election period to protect voter rights and support dignity, equality, and truth.

This national day of action is organized with Faith in Us, an initiative launched by Minnesota clergy and organizers.

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For more information about Faith in Us, please visit: https://faithinusleading.org. The text of the sign-on letter can be found at https://faithinusleading.org/#sign-on-letter.