Vote Faithfully

“It is a Christian obligation to vote, and more than that, it is the church’s responsibility to help get souls to the polls.” 

-Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

“Participating in the electoral process is not simply about supporting a political party or about furthering an agenda, but about sharing in uplifting our common life. A ballot is, in a very real sense, a statement of faith. Voting is an act of faith. In selecting leaders who will make decisions for our common good, our faith, our values, our neighbors, and our seeking to serve Christ should inform our choice.” 

-Bishop Deon K. Johnson

Getting souls to the polls isn’t just about casting our own vote, but about working together so we can all vote and vote faithfully.

The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations has put together excellent election engagement resources:

• Vote Faithfully: Election Engagement Toolkit
  https://episcopalchurch.org/OGR/civic-engagement
  
  
• #MyVoterPlan
  https://episcopalchurch.org/posts/ogr/plan-your-vote
  

The Diocese encourages all parishes to observe October 25 as “Vote Faithfully Sunday” to help everyone prepare for election day, reflect on our commitment to do the common good, and provide information to help others register and cast their ballots.

If you are at-risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19, you can request an absentee ballot. Voters who are considered at-risk for contracting or transmitting COVID-19 are those who:

• Are 65 years of age or older;
• Live in a long-term care facility licensed under Chapter 198, RSMo.;
• Have chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma;
• Have serious heart conditions;
• Are immunocompromised;
• Have diabetes;
• Have chronic kidney disease and are undergoing dialysis; or
• Have liver disease.

Any registered Missouri voter can also request a mail-in ballot from their local election authority in person or by mail. Mail-in ballot requests that are sent by mail must be received by the election authority no later than 5:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday prior to any election. 

• Local Election Authority Contact Information
• Request for Missouri Absentee or Mail-in Ballot - November 3, 2020 General Election 
• Request for Missouri Mail-In Ballot 

If you are planning to vote with an absentee or mail-in ballot, remember you must have your ballot notarized. Here is a list of notaries in our diocese – all are willing to notarize any and all ballots in the community free of charge.

Diocese of Missouri Notaries: 

• Christ Church, Cape Girardeau
  Notary: Alyssa Bennett Smith
  Contact: alybensmi@gmail.com or call/text (573) 576-1425. (please leave voice mail)
  
  
• Christ Church, Rolla
  Notary: The Rev. Maria Evans
  Contact: MLEvans327@gmail.com
  
  
• Church of St. Michael & St. George, Clayton
  Elizabeth Cawns
  ecawns@gmail.com
  
  
• Diocese of Missouri / Bishop’s Office (at Christ Church Cathedral), St. Louis
  Notary: Jillian Smith
  Contact:  jillian.smith57@gmail.com
  
  
• Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Webster Groves
  2 notaries available for election signing
  Contact: Mimi Shipp, Dir. of Communications and Invitation
  mshipp@emmanuelepiscopal.org
  
  
• St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Ferguson
  Notary: John Kavanaugh
  Contact: 314-651-7885
  
  
• St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Creve Coeur
  Drive-up Station for Mail-In Ballots (photo ID & mask required)
  Wednesdays: 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
  Saturdays: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  Notary: Lindsey Short

  Email:  lindseyshort@hotmail.com

  
  
• St. Charles County/Lake St. Louis
  Notary: The Rev. Christina Cobb 
  Contact: Christinacobb511@hotmail.com

 If you have a notary you would like published on our list or any election information news you would like to share, please contact communications@diocesemo.org.