More than 80 Unitarian Universalist Congregations Commit to “Good Trouble” as part of 2024 UU the Vote Initiative Thousands of Unitarian Universalists engage in nonpartisan civic organizing effort in support of reproductive justice, advancing a multiracial democracy, organizing for justice and accountability, and more

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Suzanne Morse
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Unitarian Universalist ministers, leaders, and UU the Vote partners sitting with microphone in a wood-paneled room.

UUA Democracy Strategist Nora Rasman; UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt; Stephanie Knupsky, Positive Women's Network; Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart, Political Research Associates; and Bethany Stewart, Office of Council member Nicolas O’Rourkeat “Love, Liberation, and Living Our Values: Navigating the 2024 Election” UU the Vote event at First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Friday, September 6th.

Boston, Mass. (September 19, 2024) – More than 80 Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations have been designated “Good Trouble Congregations” as a part of the 2024 UU the Vote initiative, the Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA) nonpartisan civic engagement initiative focused on advancing democracy and organizing for justice and accountability.

“As we have so many times in history, Unitarian Universalists are meeting the moment when it comes to building a democracy rooted in justice, liberation, and the shared values that UUs hold dear,” said Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, the UUA’s president. “Our faith transforms us spiritually and roots us in community, and we know that our participation in democratic processes can help transform the world we live in.”

The UU the Vote campaign is in the process of recruiting over 10,000 volunteers from 500 Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations to reach out to 3 million voters across the country. Additionally, UU the Vote will host and support events in key states over an eight-week period. Those key states include Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin. The initiative will also focus on ballot initiatives related to protecting, defending and expanding access to abortion care in Arizona, Colorado, and Florida.

“Good Trouble Congregations” are UU churches that have met a more significant standard to answer that call to organize their communities and engage in the multiple, necessary tactics to help build a multiracial democracy. To achieve the designation, congregations must meet two criteria in both organizing and voter contact goals. The criteria include: turning out five percent of its members at a partner public action or 10 percent of members at UUTV political education event; acting as a ballot initiative petition hub; having at least 2 congregants act as line warmers, poll workers, Election Defenders, or non-partisan poll observers; a robust “doorknocking” effort, averaging 20 doorknocks per member; a strong ballot petition initiative, averaging 10 ballot petition signatures per member; and more. Those interested can read the full list of criteria at the UU the Vote website.

“These efforts are critical towards strengthening both our communities and our democracy,” said Nora Rasman, the UUA’s Democracy Strategist. “We do this work in partnership with others – our congregations, justice-oriented organizations, and those dedicated to a more just world by expanding our democracy. Our work helps to develop collective power and create local relationships that will allow us and future generations to continue to build democratic practices more broadly.”

The UUA successfully conducted its first UU the Vote initiative in 2020. More than 450 UU congregations and more than 5,000 volunteers participated in voter mobilization, get out the vote, and election defense efforts across the country during that presidential election year. In 2022 during the midterm elections, more than 3,000 volunteers from 400 UU congregations from across the country contacted more than 2 million voters. As a part of that election cycle, UU the Vote expanded its efforts into ballot initiatives and targeted its efforts in 12 states, while continuing its work in all 50 states.

Those interested in learning more about UU the Vote can do so at the Side with Love website, the UU the Vote website, and at YouTube.

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About the UUA

The UUA is the central organization for the Unitarian Universalist (UU) religious movement in the United States. Our faith is diverse and inclusive and the UUA’s 1000+ member congregations are committed to shared values and principles that hold closely the worth and dignity of each person as sacred, the need for justice and compassion, the right of conscience, and respect for the interdependent nature of all existence.