Host a Voter Registration Drive in your Parish!
How to Conduct Voter Registration Drives
In an era when more people worldwide are gaining the right to vote, many Americans are not exercising this right. As Catholics, we are called to practice faithful citizenship by giving witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ in our daily lives and especially in the public square:
In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. … The obligation to participate in political life is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do.1
One excellent way for parishes to help voting-age Catholics engage in the political life of our Commonwealth and our country is to conduct voter registration drives. By preparing to cast ballots, registered voters will have opportunities to become more aware of important issues that are vital to human life and dignity, and to the common good.
This resource contains three sections to assist parishes in conducting nonpartisan voter registration drives. The first is a section of legal guidelines – basic “do’s” and “don’t’s” to ensure that registration drives comply with federal and state guidelines. The second is a list of 10 easy steps for conducting a drive. The third contains samples of parish bulletin announcements to promote drives.
Read the full guide here (PDF)
1 Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States, p. 16.