Liberators In Action: Faithful Guard Civic Duty

There are times when we need to be reminded of what can bring us together. Faiths United in Saving Democracy is doing just that, bringing people of different faiths and backgrounds together to protect one of our most important rights: the right to vote.

The nonpartisan coalition grew from efforts rooted in the Black church to educate voters, encourage participation, and protect people facing barriers to the ballot box. Today, it brings together Christians, Jews, Muslims, Quakers, Buddhists and people who are not religious, united by a shared commitment to making voting safe and accessible.

For the November 3, 2026, election, the coalition has recruited more than 1,200 volunteer poll chaplains and peacekeepers to serve outside polling places in nine states: Arizona, Michigan, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Virginia and Texas.

These volunteers are receiving training in immigrant rights, conflict de-escalation, and how to respond when voters need help. Their job is to offer reassurance, calm tense situations, and help people feel safe while exercising their right to vote. Organizers are particularly concerned that fear of intimidation or immigration enforcement could discourage eligible voters, including people in mixed-immigration-status families.

The work builds on experiences from previous elections. In 2020, after the presidential election, a crowd gathered at a vote-counting center in Detroit, fueled in part by false claims circulating online that election fraud had occurred. As protesters banged on the building's doors and windows, the situation became tense. The Rev. Steve Bland, pastor of Detroit's Liberty Temple Baptist Church, joined other faith leaders who physically positioned themselves between the crowd and the building, helping protect those inside.

Bland continues to serve as a poll chaplain. He has also seen how a few reassuring words can make a difference. During an earlier election, he helped an elderly Black woman who felt intimidated about voting. She left, then returned with two of her grandsons, and all three voted.

“Without that intervention, three people wouldn’t have voted that day,” Bland said.

The coalition's work is about more than responding to confrontations. It's about helping people overcome fear and making sure they know their vote matters.

In Arizona, Rabbi Emily Segal of Temple Chai is among the faith leaders participating in the effort. She sees this work as an expression of the values shared by people across religious traditions.

“Throughout American history, interfaith coalitions have created powerful change and served as sources of inspiration,” Segal said. “Any time we can come together with faith partners around our shared values for societal good is a real source of holiness for our community.”

That message feels especially important now. We don't have to share the same religion, background, or beliefs to care about one another. We can stand together for the dignity of our neighbors and the right of every eligible voter to participate in our elections.

Faiths United in Saving Democracy reminds us that protecting democracy is not only the work of lawmakers and election officials. It is also the work of ordinary people willing to show up for others, stay present, and help their neighbors feel safe.

That's what liberators do. They help remove barriers that keep people from exercising their rights. And sometimes, making a difference begins with standing beside someone and letting them know they are not alone.

Read more in AP News