Lawmakers are once again considering the SAVE America Act (S. 1383) attached to multiple legislative vehicles. Lawmakers should be aware of the challenge these attempts pose to eligible voters.

Over 10,000 messages have been sent to Congress through the ELCA Action Center to reject voting barriers, and we thank you for your continued advocacy!

Following a spring executive order targeting access to mail-in voting and removal of Election Assistance Commission leadership(EAC), ongoing litigation has renewed concern for the uncertainty voters may face this November. The order – directing the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate with the Social Security Administration in compiling state-specific lists of sensitive voter information – and recently published USPS final rule add to the concerning threats to local and state rights to administer elections. Additionally, harmful provisions from the SAVE America Act have returned, attached to multiple vehicles. This provides a timely opportunity to ask Congress to respond to these threats and oppose restricting access to voting.

The SAVE America Act (S. 1383) would create far-reaching changes to federal voting law. Changes would include adding requirements for voters to provide burdensome proof of eligibility, including documentary proof of U.S. citizenship like birth certificates, to register to vote and stricter photo identification, such as passport requirements, for casting a ballot. These changes would not make any noticeable change to election security. By making it harder to both prove eligibility and register to vote, the adjustments would disproportionately impact rural, low-income and marginalized communities, and members of Tribal Nations.

The ELCA affirms voter participation as an exercise in citizenship and condemns efforts to restrict access for all – especially low-income communities which are often left out of the election process. As developments regarding proposed changes for mail-in ballots and consideration of restrictive Voter ID legislation continue,lawmakers should be aware of the challenges these attempts pose to eligible voters.

Urge your Member of Congress to oppose the SAVE America Act and vote NO on any attempt to include similar language in upcoming legislation.

Our advocacy takes many forms with long-term and immediate aims, and ELCA Witness in Society staff are active equipping members, building influential relationships with policy makers, networking strategically with other concerned partners, researching policy pieces and their impacts and inviting our ELCA Advocacy Network to action at impactful moments.

One timely way we can act as ELCA is to sign on with others to offer pointed comments to decision makers when developments demand.

WHAT IS A SIGN-ON LETTER

A “sign-on letter” is an advocacy tool that acts like a petition to members of Congress or other policy decision makers, often addressing an immediate issue or impending vote. Sign-on letters are drafted and circulated among organizations with similar policy goals to ask other organizations to join, showing support for a policy position or value by adding their name.

The Witness in Society team may recommend listing the ELCA as an organization on a sign-on letter. Some letters are tailored for individual sign-ons, usually by the head of an organization. In the ELCA, most individual sign-ons are done by the ELCA presiding bishop.

IMPACT OF SIGN-ONS

Sign-on letters are frequently used when swift and targeted action will have an impact on decision-makers. The aim is to provide education on an issue, articulate shared organizational values on a subject and urge the recipient to take a specific action or vote. Ecumenical and interfaith sign-on letters summarize broad consensus in the faith community. In addition to receipt by individual members of Congress or Executive Branch officials for example, they may be used in constituent meetings and shared as public statements as well.

DECISION PROCESS

The ELCA joins sign-on letters following careful analysis by the Witness in Society team, sometimes in consultation with other staff. The Senior Director for Witness in Society makes the final determination for a sign-on. Sign-on letters require a foundation in ELCA social teaching and relevance to ELCA public policy advocacy priorities. Sign-on letters are also evaluated for accuracy of facts and the tone of the statement, seeking language that will educate or persuade, avoiding hyper-partisan or inflammatory language. Witness in Society staff are strategic about the use of sign-on letters, asking if a joint letter is the right approach at this time; how the letter will be disseminated and used to create awareness among members of Congress, the Administration and throughout the ELCA; what the impact of not signing a letter might be; and discerning whether a standalone effort from the ELCA would have greater impact at the given point-in-time or may be preferable to state distinctly the ELCA’s position.

Affordability is a not a single issue, but it touches every part of the priorities for LEAN. Affordability is not a new challenge. It is a persistent crisis that has burdened families across administrations, and today it has reached an unsustainable breaking point. For too many Nevadans, rent continues to rise beyond reach, insurance premiums are doubling, a simple cup of coffee costs nearly six dollars, heating bills climb each winter, and changes to student loan repayment add yet another strain. While wages have seen modest growth, they are no longer keeping pace with the cost of living—and economic forecasts offer little reassurance.

As a pastor, I witness these struggles every day. I meet families who are working hard yet still relying on government programs that are now being cut or restricted. I see the impacts of food insecurity, the lack of affordable housing, and the anxiety that comes from never knowing if the next bill can be paid.

SB124 helps experienced, foreign-trained physicians begin practicing medicine in Nevada sooner, reducing unnecessary barriers while maintaining patient safety.

At a time when too many communities struggle to find a doctor, this law expands access to care by strengthening Nevada’s health care workforce.

More doctors mean more timely appointments, shorter wait times, and better access to care for Nevada families.

This is what community-focused public policy looks like: practical solutions that strengthen our communities and help ensure everyone has the opportunity to receive the care they need.

Register for the ELCA Advocacy co-sponsored Interfaith Alliance Trusted Messenger Training to learn how to communicate accurate election information and support civic participation. Register today at bit.ly/InterfaithAllianceSeries