Don’t Be Scared, Be Prepared: Webinar offers Election Day advice

The calendar said Halloween, but on October 31, the United Church of Christ wanted to help keep the “scaries” away when it comes to Election Day jitters — and offered a Nurture the Soul webinar called “Don’t Be Scared, Be Prepared! What to Expect in the 2024 Election.”

Now that November 5 is here, many find difficulty keeping election anxiety at bay.

The past few years have demonstrated how the time between the presidential election and the presidential inauguration can be uncertain, chaotic, and even scary. That’s why it is important to have a plan in place for the many scenarios that could play out on and after Election Day.

The webinar kicked off with a welcome from the Rev. ellie hutchison, UCC minister for Church and Community Engagement. She explained the role of Nurture the Soul and passed the torch to the Rev. Michael Neuroth, director of the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy in Washington, D.C.

Neuroth encouraged viewers to go vote with love, as part of the Our Faith, Our Vote campaign. He said he hoped our collective fears could be reduced knowing that together we have the resources to deescalate election sabotage and political violence in our communities.

“Despite the real challenges to our democracy,” he continued, “some who are seeking to misinform and even undermine the election, the reality is these efforts are being countered by so many more who are working to protect our democracy.”

Amplifying resources

Neuroth then introduced a video from Chris Crawford, a policy strategist from Protect Democracy. Crawford walked through the election process — and potential disruptions. He offered advice, including ways we can promote peace, encourage voting, provide nonpartisan information, and set expectations.

“We need to win the narrative every day,” he explained. “We need to make the case for our election system and our democracy every day between now and inauguration day.”

Other speakers included Abigail Cipparone, domestic policy advocate in the UCC Washington Office, Cheryl A. Leanza with UCC Media Justice, and Raelyn Roberson with Common Cause, a nonpartisan grassroots organization made up of citizen watchdogs.

Roberson said that they are offering an election protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

“We’re very grateful to trusted messengers like the UCC who continue to amplify these resources within your communities,” she said. “We’re doing everything we can so everyone has the information they need and the support they need to go cast their votes.”

‘Faith community superpowers’

Cipparone followed and offered further advice. She said there is a risk of election sabotage, but we can fight it: “You as members of faith can respond — we can work together to protect our democracy.”

She offered a list of things that she termed “superpowers” that congregations can do to help, including offering space for sanctuary and turning out people to events.

Much of the information and advice that was offered is captured in the “Don’t Be Scared, Be Prepared” resources, found here.

This includes advice about how to respond to election threats — even offering possible scenarios and ways one might react. There is information about countering disinformation, how to respond to scapegoating, and voter suppression.

Watch the entire recorded webinar here:

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