Why the UCC cares about your vote
The United Church of Christ’s Our Faith Our Vote Campaign is our ongoing commitment to equip you with the tools for nonpartisan faithful engagement in our democratic process. The campaign is made up of three main components; voter registration, issue education, and voter empowerment. The 2024 Our Faith Our Vote campaign asks the church to answer the call of 1 John 3:18 to “let us not love with words or speech, but in action and in truth,” by “voting with love.” Vote with love for creation, for our neighbors both here and abroad, for a just peace, for repair and reconciliation of the brokenness of our nation. And encourage your family, friends, and community to do the same. The 2024 election season is well underway, so please check this page for updates to learn how you can “vote with love” this year.
The United Church of Christ’s Our Faith Our Vote Campaign is our ongoing commitment to equip you with the tools for nonpartisan faithful engagement in our democratic process. The campaign is made up of three main components; voter registration, issue education, and voter empowerment. The 2024 Our Faith Our Vote campaign asks the church to answer the call of 1 John 3:18 to “let us not love with words or speech, but in action and in truth,” by “voting with love.” Vote with love for creation, for our neighbors both here and abroad, for a just peace, for repair and reconciliation of the brokenness of our nation. And encourage your family, friends, and community to do the same. The 2024 election season is well underway, so please check this page for updates to learn how you can “vote with love” this year.
Check your status
- National https://www.nass.org/can-I-vote
- North Dakota requires a valid ID, no registration. https://www.sos.nd.gov/elections/voter/voting-north-dakota/forms-voter-id
- Minnesota https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/VoterStatus.aspx register by 10/15!
- Find your polling place https://www.usa.gov/find-polling-place
- Plan logistics, like getting time off work, transportation, etc.
- OR Get a mail-in/absentee ballot https://www.usa.gov/absentee-voting
- When will you mail/turn in your ballot?
- Who can vote? https://www.usa.gov/who-can-vote
- Voter's Rights pamphlet https://www.justice.gov/d9/fieldable-panel-panes/basic-panes/attachments/2022/07/07/know_your_voting_rights.pdf
- Get your information only from trusted sources.
- Follow all instructions given to you by poll workers.
- Know the polling hours for your location and arrive before they close
Our Faith Our Vote Week
September 15th-22nd
2 Worship Services that celebrate democracy
Sunday, Sept 15th we will study Proverbs 1:20-33 "Wisdom cries out in the street." Learn about the ways that the UCC uses democracy to "cry out in the street."
Sunday, Sept. 22nd we will study Psalm 1 and Mark 9:30-37 "Whoever wants to be first." Learn about the ways that the UCC uses our democratic processes to hear the voices of those with the least power.
Adult Education Speaker: "How do I know my vote will be counted?" Learn about common pitfalls that create provisional ballots and other things that might block your vote from being counted. Sunday, Sept 15th, following fellowship
Speaker: "How to encourage others to vote" Lyn Dockter-Pinnick, Board member, League of Women Voters of the Red River Valley, will join us to talk about ways we can encourage other people to vote. Sunday, Sept 22, following fellowship.
Register People to vote!
Tuesday, September 17th. National Voter Registration Day.
We are partnering with CAPLP (Moorhead) to register people to vote at the Family Service Center in Moorhead.
Suppressed and Sabotaged: The Fight to Vote
Saturday, September 21st 2:00pm
Moorhead Public Library
The movie documents voter suppression efforts during the 2022 election in Georgia. It is about 40 minutes long and will be followed by a discussion session about the film and about combatting local voter suppression. Please plan on attending and bringing a friend.
Sunday, Sept 15th we will study Proverbs 1:20-33 "Wisdom cries out in the street." Learn about the ways that the UCC uses democracy to "cry out in the street."
Sunday, Sept. 22nd we will study Psalm 1 and Mark 9:30-37 "Whoever wants to be first." Learn about the ways that the UCC uses our democratic processes to hear the voices of those with the least power.
Adult Education Speaker: "How do I know my vote will be counted?" Learn about common pitfalls that create provisional ballots and other things that might block your vote from being counted. Sunday, Sept 15th, following fellowship
Speaker: "How to encourage others to vote" Lyn Dockter-Pinnick, Board member, League of Women Voters of the Red River Valley, will join us to talk about ways we can encourage other people to vote. Sunday, Sept 22, following fellowship.
Register People to vote!
Tuesday, September 17th. National Voter Registration Day.
We are partnering with CAPLP (Moorhead) to register people to vote at the Family Service Center in Moorhead.
Suppressed and Sabotaged: The Fight to Vote
Saturday, September 21st 2:00pm
Moorhead Public Library
The movie documents voter suppression efforts during the 2022 election in Georgia. It is about 40 minutes long and will be followed by a discussion session about the film and about combatting local voter suppression. Please plan on attending and bringing a friend.
Links and more information about making your vote count
Information and links gathered by our Justice Coordinator, Brynne Van Hettinga
Avoid Disinformation
Unfortunately, there is a lot of disinformation about voting. Make sure you get information only from trusted sites.
League of Women Voters Vote 411, for general voting info for all states:
https://www.vote411.org/
National Association of Secretaries of State has links to info for all states:
https://www.nass.org/
Your own state Secretary of State
Clay County (MN) Election Information
https://claycountymn.gov/283/Election-Information
Cass County (ND) Election Information
https://www.casscountynd.gov/our-county/finance-office/elections
Am I registered? (MN Only) https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/VoterStatus.aspx
ND is the only state that does not require registration. However, you should make sure your photo ID is unexpired and has your current address.
Find your polling place:
MN: https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us
ND: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/WhereToVote.aspx?tab=0
If you know you won’t be able to get to the polls on November 5th, you can vote early or absentee.
Minnesota
In Clay County, you can vote by mail or early in-person.
Request a ballot by mail: https://mnvotes.sos.mn.gov/abrequest/index
You will need to provide a state ID number and/or the last four of your SSN
You may vote early in person by returning your absentee ballot to:
Clay County Government Center
3510 12th Ave S, Moorhead, MN 56560
Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
First day to vote early in person: Friday, September 20
Last day to vote early in person: Monday, November 4
If you vote early by mail,
Check if your absentee ballot has been counted:
https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AbsenteeBallotStatus.aspx
North Dakota
To find early voting polling places, dates and times:
https://vip.sos.nd.gov/Precincts.aspx?eid=333, Early Voting Available Counties
In ND, only certain counties (Cass is included) have mail-in, or absentee voting.
Cass County voters can return their absentee ballots in three ways:
To find out more about mail-in voting in ND: https://www.sos.nd.gov/elections/voter/voting-north-dakota/how-do-i-vote/absentee-voting
Request an absentee ballot
https://vip.sos.nd.gov/absentee/Default.aspx
Track your absentee ballot
https://vip.sos.nd.gov/AbsenteeTracker.aspx
For All Voters
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE (1) To check your registration, (2) To find your polling place if voting in person on November 5th, or (3) To request an absentee ballot and mail it in.
Avoid Disinformation
Unfortunately, there is a lot of disinformation about voting. Make sure you get information only from trusted sites.
League of Women Voters Vote 411, for general voting info for all states:
https://www.vote411.org/
National Association of Secretaries of State has links to info for all states:
https://www.nass.org/
Your own state Secretary of State
Clay County (MN) Election Information
https://claycountymn.gov/283/Election-Information
Cass County (ND) Election Information
https://www.casscountynd.gov/our-county/finance-office/elections
Am I registered? (MN Only) https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/VoterStatus.aspx
ND is the only state that does not require registration. However, you should make sure your photo ID is unexpired and has your current address.
Find your polling place:
MN: https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us
ND: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/WhereToVote.aspx?tab=0
If you know you won’t be able to get to the polls on November 5th, you can vote early or absentee.
Minnesota
In Clay County, you can vote by mail or early in-person.
Request a ballot by mail: https://mnvotes.sos.mn.gov/abrequest/index
You will need to provide a state ID number and/or the last four of your SSN
You may vote early in person by returning your absentee ballot to:
Clay County Government Center
3510 12th Ave S, Moorhead, MN 56560
Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
First day to vote early in person: Friday, September 20
Last day to vote early in person: Monday, November 4
If you vote early by mail,
- Read the instructions that come with your ballot carefully.
- You will need a witness when you vote and complete your ballot. The witness can be either a registered Minnesota voter or a notary.
- Return the ballot and forms right away after you finish. Your ballot will not count if it is received after Election Day.
Check if your absentee ballot has been counted:
https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AbsenteeBallotStatus.aspx
North Dakota
To find early voting polling places, dates and times:
https://vip.sos.nd.gov/Precincts.aspx?eid=333, Early Voting Available Counties
In ND, only certain counties (Cass is included) have mail-in, or absentee voting.
Cass County voters can return their absentee ballots in three ways:
- Mail: PO BOX 2806, Fargo ND 58108-2806
- Secure Dropbox outside the Courthouse: 211 9th Street South, Fargo.- Dropbox is located on the eastern side of the building. Please put the absentee ballot application into an envelope labeled "Finance Office" and provide your name and contact details on the envelope before submitting it into the drop box.
- Fax: 701-241-5728.
To find out more about mail-in voting in ND: https://www.sos.nd.gov/elections/voter/voting-north-dakota/how-do-i-vote/absentee-voting
Request an absentee ballot
https://vip.sos.nd.gov/absentee/Default.aspx
Track your absentee ballot
https://vip.sos.nd.gov/AbsenteeTracker.aspx
For All Voters
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE (1) To check your registration, (2) To find your polling place if voting in person on November 5th, or (3) To request an absentee ballot and mail it in.
