Harris-Walz Campaign Joins Forces with Black Faith Leaders for ‘Souls To The Polls’ Voter Engagement Initiative Nationwide – Essence

The Harris-Walz campaign has launched a brand new initiative aimed toward mobilizing Black voters in key battleground states ahead of the Nov. 5 Election Day.

The Souls to the Polls voter engagement campaign, which begins on Sunday, October 13, will encourage Black voters of all faiths to indicate up on the polls, with the support of outstanding religious leaders and native congregations.

The initiative, led by the National Advisory Council of Black Faith Leaders, is a key a part of the campaign’s broader efforts to attach with Black voters, a key demographic within the upcoming election. Vice President Kamala Harris is predicted to make appearances at churches in battleground states as a part of an effort to extend voter turnout.

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, a member of the National Advisory Council and the 117th elected bishop of the African Methodist Church, emphasized the high stakes of the election for Black Americans. “Vice President Harris, guided by faith every day, is committed to building a better future for all Americans,” McKenzie shared a press release with ESSENCE. “The stakes in this election are too high for any of us not to do everything we can to save the soul of this nation.”

The Souls to the Polls initiative will officially launch with a nationwide invitation that may feature gospel performances, appearances by religious leaders, senior elected officials and deputies. The campaign says the initiative goals to create “authentic moments of engagement” with Black voters and emphasize the importance of civic participation.

Vice President Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have made voter engagement a cornerstone of their campaign, especially in Black communities. The Souls to the Polls initiative is a component of a series of outreach efforts, including a nationwide tour of HBCUs and a Black Maternal Health town hall.

The Harris-Walz Campaign’s National Black Faith Leaders Advisory Council is leading the Souls to the Polls mobilization efforts, and leaders include: Bishop McKenzie, Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Presiding Prelate of the 2nd Episcopal District, Bishop Leah Daughtry, National Presiding Prelate of House of the Lord Churches in Washington, D.C. The Reverend Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, Senior Pastor of Friendship-Western Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas

In a joint statement, the advisory board highlighted Vice President Harris’ commitment to the Black Church and her work in Black communities. “Vice President Harris has been a faithful servant of both God and the American people throughout her life. The vice president is a woman of faith and principle and the only candidate who has always been a friend and champion of the Black Church and faith communities across the country.”

As the election approaches, the Harris-Walz campaign is ramping up efforts like Souls to the Polls to spur turnout amongst Black voters, highlighting the important thing role Black voters will play in determining the consequence of the election.