2012 Elections: Funding and Resources for Congregations

Much is at stake in upcoming elections. Regressive policies and corporate control oppress people on the margins and disenfranchise the vulnerable. Learn what Unitarian Universalists (UUs) and our partners can do together.

Funding

The Fund for Unitarian Universalist (UU) Social Responsibility is offering grants of up to $1000 to support Get Out The Vote (GOTV) and voter registration efforts by congregations in the following states:

• Colorado
• Florida
• Iowa
• New Mexico
• Nevada
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Virginia
• Wisconsin

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis through Sept 15, 2012.

Resources

• The Real Rules: UU Congregations & IRS—Guidelines on Advocacy, Lobbying, & Elections
   
• Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) Election Engagement Guide for Congregations
   
• Take Love to the Polls: Elections 2012 Webinar presentation materials
   
• Interfaith Alliance Election Year resources, featuring Religion and Politics: A Guide for Houses of Worship
   
• General Assembly (GA) 2012 Workshop: Values into Action: Unitarian Universalists Reclaiming Democracy, featuring Randy Parraz, President, Citizens for a Better Arizona

Make a Video

The "Voting on the Side of Love" video contest challenges UUs to make a short video proclaiming Unitarian Universalist (UU) values and a vision of the future.

Find a Partner

UU State Networks and Congregation-Based Community Organizations are doing voter registration, taking on voter suppression, and organizing GOTV efforts.

Learn more about voting in your state

Nonprofit Vote offers up-to-date information about your state and elections, including how to register to vote, deadlines, polling places, and the rights of ex-offenders and voters with special circumstances.

Visit Nonprofit Vote to learn more about voting and voting registration in your state.

Ballot Questions

Marriage Equality

• Maryland
• Maine
• Minnesota
• Washington

DREAM Act / In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students

• Maryland

Heath Care / Economic Justice

• Michigan

The Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) is supporting this ballot imitative and will be addressing it at their upcoming conference, Protecting Access to Health Care

Voter Suppression

Voting rights are under attack in this country as state legislatures nationwide pass voter suppression laws under the pretext of preventing voter fraud and safeguarding election integrity. These voter suppression laws take many forms, and collectively lead to significant burdens for eligible voters trying to exercise their most fundamental constitutional right. See American Civil Liberties Union for more information and what you can do.

Move to Amend

Formed in September 2009, Move to Amend is a coalition of hundreds of organizations and tens of thousands of individuals committed to social and economic justice, ending corporate rule, and building a vibrant democracy that is genuinely accountable to the people, not corporate interests. Move to Amend is calling for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to unequivocally state that inalienable rights belong to human beings only, and that money is not a form of protected free speech under the First Amendment and can be regulated in political campaigns. The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is an endorsing organization.

2011 UUA Action of Immediate Witness: Oppose Citizens United—Support Free Speech for People