Religious leaders can strengthen trust in democracy ahead of midterm elections

Viewpoints Religious leaders can strengthen trust in democracy ahead of midterm elections | Opinion A voter fills out their primary election ballot at the polling place inside Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Faith communities can counter election misinformation, boost voter registration and partner with officials. dholtmann@bnd.com California's June primary election further exposed the depth of distrust that could shape this year's midterms: Even before President Donald Trump's levied baseless fraud claims against the state's elections system, 41% of California voters said they were not confident the elections would be free from federal interference. The greatest danger of election distrust is that it breeds cynicism, and that can dissuade people from participating altogether. It can leave voters feeling as if casting their ballot is simply pointless. Bad actors can exploit that uncertainty to divide neighbors and cast doubt on legitimate outcomes. Left unaddressed, this skepticism risks deepening America's divisions and weakening the commitment to free and fair elections on which our democracy depends. But faith communities are well-equipped to rebuild that trust and prevent cynicism by showing up as trusted, nonpartisan civic partners. Consistency is the foundation of trust, and faith communities know that better than most. Congregations show up week after week for weddings and funerals, meals and mentorship, and the work of caring for neighbors. Earlier this year, houses of worship in Minneapolis became meeting places for organizers standing up to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's crackdown and resource hubs for affected families. And in Los Angeles, after last year's Palisades Fire , religious leaders opened emergency shelters and gathered donations for victims. The same instinct that moves faith communities to respond in a crisis can help protect our democracy. However, faith communities can only serve as trusted civic partners if they earn that trust. Some religious movements, however, have done the opposite — invoking spiritual authority to advance extremist and prejudicial ideologies that erode social cohesion and weaken democratic institutions. Interfaith cooperation offers a different path. When congregations from different traditions work together on civic challenges, they show that faith can strengthen belonging and democratic life rather than fuel exclusion. Each tradition can draw on its values of service and care while working toward a society in which everyone belongs. The most immediate task for faith communities is making voting information easier to find and harder to distort. Registering to vote, locating a polling place and tracking changes in election law can feel complicated. Religious leaders have long served as trusted messengers during public challenges, including efforts to address vaccine hesitancy during COVID . Religious leaders have an essential role to play in restoring trust in our democratic institutions. By sharing accurate election information, helping people register to vote and explaining why civic participation matters, they can reduce confusion and help voters participate with confidence. They can also build relationships with local election officials and bring their communities along. That kind of bridge-building is exactly what eroded trust requires. A visible faith presence at polling places can also make participation feel safer. Recent headlines have raised concerns about political interference and potential violence , as well as an increased law enforcement presence, including ICE , that may leave some voters afraid to show up. A pastor, rabbi, imam or lay volunteer standing outside with water, a warm welcome and a calm presence can offer reassurance. Their presence sends a simple message: You belong here, and your voice counts. Faith communities should also help address the quieter challenge of poll worker shortages . Fair elections require hundreds of thousands of trained people to check voters in, manage lines, operate equipment and solve problems on Election Day. Clergy are uniquely positioned to tap into their congregants' goodwill and recruit people willing to serve. Democracy flourishes in the places where trust is built: sanctuaries, neighborhood meetings and conversations around kitchen tables. At a moment when election misinformation is convincing too many voters that participation is pointless, faith leaders must help draw people back into civic life. They should do so by partnering with election officials, sharing trustworthy information, recruiting poll workers and organizing a peaceful presence at polling places. Trust will return one open door, one congregation and one neighbor answering the call to serve at a time. Chris Crawford is senior director of civic strategies at Interfaith America.