Can my Congregation Really be Involved in the Democratic Process?

Legal Guidelines for Religious Involvement in the Political Process

Can candidates for election speak from your pulpit? Can your congregation take a position and/or organize around a ballot proposition that involves issues that are important to your community?

The following publications offer information to guide congregations as they seek to engage their congregations in the democratic process, advocate effectively for justice, while being sure to avoid being involved in party politics.

Participating in Ballot Measures as Congregations and Religious Non-Profits
Being Active and Staying Legal: Complying with the IRS and FPPC

Drafted by the Rev. Lindi Ramsden using references from the Alliance for Justice, the Fair Political Practices Commission publications and staff, and legal counsel; however, this outline is not exhaustive, and is no substitute for your own legal counsel.

Ballot Measure Rules for Congregations

The Real Rules: Congregations and IRS Guidelines on Advocacy, Lobbying, and Elections

From the Unitarian Universalist Association Washington Office
www.uua.org/uuawo/new/article.php?id=314

Politics and the Pulpit: A Guide to the Internal Revenue Code Restrictions on the Political Activity of Religious Organizations

From the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life
http://pewforum.org/publications/reports/IRCbrochureBIG.pdf