Here is the statement:
We join together as leaders of faith across political, religious, and ideological differences to affirm our commitment to a free, fair, and safe election. The values of our faith traditions inform our dedication to this cause. All of the constitutional freedoms that we enjoy, including our religious freedom, depend on the integrity of our elections—the foundation of American democracy. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and other national challenges this election season, we express our support for the following commitments and call on all public officials, civic leaders, and all people in a position of power across the country to commit to the same:
- Our leaders must ensure a free and fair election in which all eligible Americans can safely cast their votes without interference, suppression, or fear of intimidation.
- Leaders and election officials must count every vote in accordance with applicable laws before the election is decided, even if the process takes a longer time because of precautions in place due to COVID-19.
- Leaders should share timely, accurate information about the election results and resist and avoid spreading misinformation.
- Leaders must actively and publicly support a peaceful transition of power or continuation of leadership based on legitimate election results.
The commitments outlined above are central to a functioning and healthy republic and they are supported by the vast majority of Americans, yet they are being challenged in unprecedented ways in the 2020 election. America is only as strong as its people’s commitment to our democracy and the freedoms and rights it ensures. We invite our neighbors of all beliefs and backgrounds to join us in this urgent commitment to support free and fair elections, especially at this crucial moment for our democracy.
Most of the signers are progressive or liberal faith leaders. Conservative faith leaders must not believe in a “free and fair election” or else they were not asked to sign. Or maybe they refused to sign because they did not want to be associated with liberals.
There are some notable evangelical and evangelical-friendly voices who signed this statement including:
Bishop Claude Alexander of The Park Church, (Charlotte, NC)
Manfred Baruch, Palmer Theological Seminary
Stanley Carlson-Thies, Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance
Galen Carey, National Association of Evangelicals
Shane Claiborne, Red Letter Christians
Walter Contreras, National Latino Evangelical Coalition
Richard Foster, Renovare
Justin Giboney, The AND Campaign
Roberta Hestenes, PCUSA Church
Dennis Hollinger, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Joel Hunter, Community Resource Network
John Inazu, Washington University
Walter Kim, National Association of Evangelicals
Mark Labberton, Fuller Theological Seminary
Samuel Logan, The World Reformed Fellowship
JoAnn Lyon, The Wesleyan Church
Walter McCray, National Black Evangelical Association
Richard Mouw, Fuller Theological Seminary
Napp Nazworth, freelance writer
David Neff, former editor of Christianity Today
Gabriel Salguero, National Latino Evangelical Coalition
Ronald Sider, Christians for Social Action
Boz Tchividjian, Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment
Jim Wallis, Sojourners
Michael Wear, Public Square Strategies