Protecting the Sacred Right to Vote and America’s Democratic Future

Beneath all the chaos, clamor, confusion, and endless attempts to tell the American electorate how to vote is the commitment, enshrined in the Constitution, that we have the right to vote. The freedom to vote is the foundation of American democracy, and exercising that right sustains it. Shortly after he was first elected President, Ronald Reagan called voting the “most sacred right of free men and women.” In that same speech on November 7, 1981, he remarked: “For this nation to remain true to its principles, we cannot allow any American’s vote to be denied, diluted, or defiled. The right to vote is the crown jewel of American liberties, and we will not see its luster diminished.”

We sanctify our values and bolster our democracy when we vote. The right to vote gives the electorate power. It is the power to choose – freely and fairly. America introduced this power to the world two and a half centuries ago, and it has both transformed the operational dynamics of many other countries and has helped shape a more hopeful future, not just for America but for the entire world. We cannot take this power for granted. And it needs to be protected.

A growing number of faith-based and civic bridge-building organizations are deeply engaged in promoting and preserving that sacred right by championing free, fair, and safe elections through a program called Faith in America. This coalition brings together nationally recognized leaders including Braver Angels, Interfaith America, faith250, Paths to Understanding, Listen First, and the National Institute for Civil Discourse. Its signature event is coming up on November 1st, and it will be an inspiring and joyful celebration of American values, American elections, and America’s freedoms, including the freedom of religion. Register for the November 1st event right here: Praying for America - we’d love to have you join us.

Here are two beautiful comments among so many from a previous Praying for America event: “This gathering is helping me feel much more hopeful. And I can now go out with more faith in humanity. I have been close to giving up. And now I won't!” and “This program has made me want to invite my neighbors of many different faiths to actually go together to vote this week. What a beautiful way to stand in solidarity and love as we perform this important civic duty together.”

While each religious tradition involved in the Faith in America expresses its beliefs differently, we all share a deep love for and faith in America. We also feel an urgent need to express that love and faith collaboratively. In addition, we open our arms and hearts to those who are not active members of a faith community - if you care deeply about American democracy as embodied in free, fair, and safe elections, you are very much welcome!

The Latin root of the religion is religio, which refers to the practices, symbols, and narratives that bind people together. To re–lig, which involves bringing the various ligaments together to produce a web of strength and a witness of hope. We have been blessed with a virtual library of America’s sacred documents and songs, which are some of the ligaments of our democracy. Among them are the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Gettysburg Address, and America the Beautiful. These civic treasures help hold us together as a country. We read and sing them. We honor them, and by doing so, we renew our commitment to America's extraordinary legacy.

Voting is a power, a power which not only stands up against more aggressive displays of power but can ultimately transform them. Promoting free, fair, and safe elections burnishes the crown jewel of American liberty and, at the same time, protects and preserves this sacred trust. Voting is a right, a responsibility, and also a call to action. As we prepare for November 3, let us pray for the officials and volunteers who administer our election process, for every voter, for every candidate who has offered themselves for election, and for our neighbors whose ballots differ from our own. While many of us care deeply about who gets elected this November, more important than who wins is that the election is free, fair, and safe, and thereby honors the will of the American people.

Cheryl Graeve is Program Director & National Organizer, National Institute for Civil Discourse.

Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith is the retired bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark (NJ) and co-chair of Braver Faith, a division of Braver Angels.

Brian Clancy is a board member of the Listen First Project.