Help Us Defend Democracy
In the COVID-19 Era

Dear friend and fellow sojourner,

Did you see the message below sent by Sojourners’ friend Rick Steves? In the month since the email was sent, so much has changed in our world. The most profound health crisis of a generation is touching every aspect of our lives.

We are so thankful for the generosity of our community, which met Rick’s challenge grant. With your help we are equipping people of faith during this very difficult time and working tirelessly to defend our democracy in this election year.

The spread of COVID-19 is exacerbating existing threats to our democracy, as powerful people who are opposed to voting rights use this crisis to further restrict or suppress the vote. Sojourners is ramping up our voter protection efforts to proactively push for the expansion of early voting and mail-in ballot initiatives in states where that is not currently available, and we will continue to advocate for free, fair, and safe elections.

Through (virtual) events with congregations, meetings with secretaries of state, and other advocacy efforts, we will make the biggest impact we can in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania — six of the states that are most at risk of voter suppression. Just this week we added another key state —  North Carolina — but we can only expand to other states such as Wisconsin and Arizona with your support.

The need is far greater than what we planned just one month ago. We are moving prayerfully and strategically to increase our efforts to support our Sojourners community, with resources and reporting, and fiight for the ability of all people to exercise their right to vote come November.

Will you join us?

With peace and solidarity,

Adam Taylor

Executive Director, Sojourners

P.S. Your partnership and support now in any amount, can make a significant, transformative impact in this moment when our work is needed now more than ever. Thank you!

From: Rick Steves on behalf of Sojourners
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2020 5:03 PM
Subject: Join me and protect the vote!

Double your impact
with a matching gift from Rick Steves!

Dear friend and fellow sojourner,

I’m so thankful that we live in a democracy that believes in “government of, by, and for the people.” With the 2020 presidential election on the horizon, I’m concerned that those ideals are at risk.

Together, as engaged citizens, I believe we need to work to be sure all Americans have an equal voice in our democracy. That’s why I’m happy to be partnering once again with Sojourners to protect voter rights and ensure that those who think they can only win by suppressing the vote fail in their efforts to subvert our democracy in the upcoming election.

When Sojourners first launched their voter protection and education initiative Lawyers and Collars leading up to the 2018 midterm elections, I was immediately on board—the idea of having lawyers (who know how to get things done) and pastors and faith leaders (who bring social, moral, and religious credibility to the table) join forces to make sure that all citizens have access to a free and fair vote makes so much sense!

And once again, I’m all in and I’m hoping you’ll join me! Here’s the deal: I will match, dollar for dollar, the first $50,000 donated to Sojourners for these efforts. Together we can raise $100,000 to directly help those whose voting rights are most under siege.

With this matching gift, I want to help Sojourners expand the reach and impact of Lawyers and Collars—making sure people of color and other vulnerable communities in states like Michigan, Georgia, and Florida can vote as readily as any other citizens in our country.

Make your gift double in impact today!

This is such an important initiative, and right now we need more people to get on board to empower Sojourners to help our elections be true and honest.

This is not a partisan issue. This is an American issue. Our democracy is on the line. The time to act is now! Help Sojourners protect the vote AND our democracy with your most generous gift today.

Rick Steves
Fellow sojourner, activist, travel writer, and host of Rick Steves' Europe on public television