Ahead of National Vote Early Day, Ohio Faith Leaders Hold Prayer Vigil at Secretary Of State’s Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 27, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT
Austin Schuler, aschuler@faithinpubliclife.org, 540-280-3393
Katrina L. Rogers, krogers@faithinpubliclife.org
Ahead of National Vote Early Day, Ohio Faith Leaders Hold Prayer Vigil at Secretary Of State’s Office
Rev. Dan Clark, “We are experiencing voter purges, barriers to early and by mail voting, and unconstitutional gerrymandered maps. Unfortunately, Secretary LaRose, voter suppression is alive and well in Ohio.”
Columbus, Ohio – On Thursday, October 27, faith leaders from across Ohio marched to Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office to hold a prayer vigil for peace at the polls and a multi-faith, multiracial democracy that works for all Ohioans. They are calling on LaRose to protect all Ohioans from violence and intimidation at the polls and to end all voter suppression in the state.
Faith leaders also encouraged people to gather in prayer on Friday, October 28 (National Vote Early Day) at their respective County Boards of Elections at 2 p.m.
For video of the event, click here.
Amina Barhumi, CAIR Ohio
“I have seen communities of color or the other minority communities and what they face when they had to cast a vote. For our democracy to work, it simply must include all of us.”
Imam Horsed Noah, Somali Islamic Centers of Ohio
“We know that votes alone will not solve all of our problems, but it is a necessary step. That is why we’re here to make sure the doors stay open until every person has the [chance to vote].”
Dr. Ben Huelskamp, LOVEboldly
“They tell us that they are trying to protect us. They call burdens necessary. They restrict when, how, and for how long we can vote. They turn suppression of our democracy into a goal. They argue that voting is a privilege, not a right.”
Rev. Dan Clark, Faith in Public Life
“I’m praying for peace at the polls and for a multi-faith, multiracial democracy that works for all Ohioans. Secretary of State Frank LaRose has said that voter fraud is rare and that voter suppression is also rare. He is right about the first point, but dead wrong about the second point. We are experiencing voter purges, barriers to early and by mail voting, and unconstitutional gerrymandered maps. Unfortunately, Secretary LaRose, voter suppression is alive and well in Ohio. I urge you to do everything in your power to ensure free and fair elections for all Ohioans.”
Camille Wimbish, Ohio Voice
“Democracy is for all of us. It’s up to us to ensure everyone can participate in our elections so that we live up to our country’s promise of a true, multi-racial democracy where we can all thrive.”
Rev. Henneman, United Methodist Church for All People
“We live in a world where someone’s life expectancy is more dependent on their zip code than their genetic code. Inside the polling booth, everybody’s vote counts the same.”
Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan Jr., Ohio Council of Churches
“God loves all people, all communities, economic backgrounds, and yes all zip codes. Flourishing in our society includes the right to vote and access to the ballot box.”
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Faith in Public Life is a national movement of clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice, equality and the common good. Together, with a network of over 50,000 leaders, they are leading the fight to advance just policies at the state and federal level that affirm our values and the human dignity of all.