This past election, UUSJ broke new ground with the only UU multi-state voter mobilization effort in the nation. The initiative was grounded in our UU faith and the Fifth Principle, which supports the democratic process in our lives. In so doing, we met several strategic goals: we increased opportunities for collective UU action, we improved UU civic engagement around our principles, we engaged local UUs and congregations in the shared goals of expanding or defending voter rights, we strengthened relationships with local area organizations, and we enhanced collaborations between and among congregations. These outcomes form a foundation for future work for social justice in our communities and our region.

UUSJ did this amazing work by: First, developing a downloadable toolkit, “Mobilizing Voters for the 2016 Elections.” Second, assembling a leadership team of representatives from eight congregations that helped develop the program’s priorities, promote activities, recruit volunteers, host events in churches and facilitate community or partnership outreach. The congregations were: All Souls, Cedar Lane, River Road, Rockville, Towson, Arlington, Bull Run and Mt. Vernon. Third, gathering partners working in the space and pouring UU energy into important projects. Our partners were: Reeb Voting Rights Project, CASA de Maryland, New Virginia Majority, the Inter-religious Organizing Initiative Virginia Coalition for Latino Organizations (VACOLAO), the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and VoteRiders. For more details see our resource page.

Together we firmed up the foundation for the kind of grassroots, active citizenship that UUs are known for; together we showed that we are a small but mighty denomination.