Early voting is under way in several states. As a tax-exempt, 501 (c)(3) organization, Americans United is not permitted to endorse or oppose candidates for public office. Unlike some Christian Nationalist organizations, we take this portion of federal law, known as the Johnson Amendment, seriously and follow it scrupulously.
Americans United is permitted to take stands on issues, and this includes ballot questions. As my colleague Liz Hayes noted in the October issue of Church & State, voters in 11 states will face ballot initiatives dealing with church-state issues.
Voters in 10 states will have the opportunity to protect reproductive rights. The states are Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York and South Dakota.
As Liz noted, “These states could join six others (California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Vermont) where voters have either enshrined abortion rights in their state constitutions or rejected constitutional amendments to restrict abortion access since the ultra-conservative bloc of the U.S. Supreme Court abolished the nationwide right to abortion in 2022.”
Voters in three states – Colorado, Kentucky and Nebraska – will face ballot questions on expanding private school vouchers. We hope voters follow the example of residents of numerous states who have defeated vouchers at the ballot box repeatedly since 1967.
And remember, while the presidential race is getting most of the attention, you’ll be facing a lot of down-ballot races as well – and these are important. Pay special attention to local races such as city council, county council and school boards. Do some research and find out where the candidates stand on church-state issues before you cast your ballot.
Whether you do it this week, next week or on Nov. 5, be sure to vote!
