Our Faith, Our Vote
Introduction:During the "Continuing Conversations" on Sunday August 29, 2004, James Darnell, UCC Justice & Peace Intern, introduced several members of Community UCC to the "Our Faith, Our Vote" campaign, sponsored by the United Church of Christ. Our Faith, Our Vote is designed to help us discover ways in which we can get involved in the political process - organizing committees for local and national races, sending teams to interview candidates, holding candidate nights at the church, conducting voter registration or voter drives. Steps to take:
- Organize - in progress
- Register - *voter registration available during Sunday coffee hour in Parlor thru October 3.
- Educate - %attend/listen to candidate debates listed below
- Vote! - Tuesday November 2
* Requirements for Voter Registration
To register in Champaign County, you need to have lived at your registration address for at least 30 days by election day. You need two forms of ID; one must show the registration address officially: a bill, a lease, or an updated driver's license, for instance. October 5 is the last day to register and still vote in the November election. You must be a US citizen (but you do not need to provide proof of citizenship).
Becoming involved:If you are interested in joining the Community UCC "Our Faith,
Our Vote" advocacy group, please contact info@community-ucc.org %Upcoming Candidate Debates (being held locally): As listed in The News Gazette, Section B3, on Saturday October 9, 2004:
Live WILL-TV and WILL-AM election forum at 7 pm on Thursdays -
Oct. 14 -- 15th Congressional District race candidates
Republican incumbent Tim Johnson
Democrat Dr. David Gill
Oct. 21 -- 103rd District State Representative race candidates
Democrat Naomi Jakobsson
Republican Deborah Frank Feinen
Socialist Equality Party Thomas Mackaman
Friday, Oct. 15, from 10 - 11 am -- WILL-AM's "Focus 580" talk program will focus on the referendum asking Urbana voters to decide whether to add two at-large seats to the city council.
Guests will be:
con - Urbana alderman Esther Patt, Ward 1
pro - Chris Alix of Plus 2 for Urbana, non-partisan citizen group.
Other Forums:
Friday, Oct 15, 7 to 9 pm at Urbana City Building --
Forum re Urbana at-large council referendum and Champaign County auditor's race.
Monday, Oct 18, 7 to 9 pm at Tony Noel Center at Parkland College --
Forum re several countywide candidates and referendum issues.
Wednesday, Oct 20, 7 to 9 pm at Champaign County Farm Bureau -
Forum re tax increase to support services for developmentally disabled is among the issues to be discussed.
Thursday, Oct 21, 11:30 am brown-bag lunch & noon program at Urbana city building --
League of Women Voters of Champaign County meeting will feature a debate between county board member Robert Kirchner and county clerk Mark Shelden on the proposed county election commission, (subject of a referendum).
Helpful Links:
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